If you know how to see

Even beneath this hardened face,
even within this heart turned stone by pain,
even behind this stern gaze,
even masked by this harsh voice—
believe this:
somewhere inside me, hidden,
that melody of love still plays,
the tune that after you return home
chases away your weariness,
teaches you to love yourself.

What you see of me
is not all I am...
if you know how to look.