This page contains poetry and life writing works by ZDaddy, including excerpts from ongoing and unfinished projects.

THE WEIGHT BEHIND MY SMILE

I hide the truth in crooked light, a grin that strains to stay upright,

while shadows press against my chest, demanding breath I can't invite.

I wear a mask of quiet grace, though storms still claw behind my face,

a trembling ache I never name, yet carry to my secret place.

Each laugh I force becomes a thread that mends the cracks I've always bled,

a fragile lie that keeps me whole while stitching ghosts inside my head.

The world sees light in every glance, but never feels the circumstance

the heaviness my heart endures beneath the thinness of my stance.

I walk through days in practiced poise, drowned out by my own silent noise,

the weight behind my smile built from every broken, buried choice.

But still I lift that painted curve, though darkness hums within each nerve,

and hope one day the truth I hide won't be the only life I serve.

For now I shine in borrowed style, though aching travels mile by mile,

and no one knows the cost I pay to hold the weight behind my smile.

poem from ZDaddy's What the World cant See 

THE TRUTH BEHIND MY EYES

They say they see me, but they only skim the surface

A quiet storm rages where my silence lies

They touch the mask, never the scars beneath

Smiles I wear are just rehearsed, practiced purpose

They claim to know the nights I've spent in cries

Yet never feel the ache that steals my teeth

Words I speak are fragments, carefully chosen

They think they hold the map to my disguise

But the truth behind my eyes remains unbroken

Every laugh I give is a theater of pain

They see a soul whole, but it fractures inside

A storm of regrets that I cannot contain

Hands that reach out, never touch what I hide

They speak of love, yet cannot feel my shame

I drown in the quiet where all my fears collide

Night drags me down, whispering secrets untold

I move through the world, a shadow in plain sight

The warmth of comfort is something I cannot hold

They call me strong, but the title is hollow

Beneath the surface, I wrestle with endless fight

A labyrinth of memories too sharp to swallow

I crave connection, yet recoil from the touch

Their empathy is shallow, unable to ignite

The depth of my sorrow is always too much

I speak in riddles, hoping someone might see

The wars I wage in silence, night after night

But the world walks past, blind to the real me

The truth behind my eyes is a forest of pain

They glimpse a path lit, but shadows dominate the light

A story of battles, of loss, and endless rain

poem from ZDaddy's What the World cant See 

THE ZDaddy 10 COMMANDMENTS

1. Tell the truth, even when your voice shakes

Lies are easy. Truth costs something. Speak honestly about pain, love, regret, and desire—even when it exposes you. Vulnerability isn't weakness; it's proof you survived long enough to speak.

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2. Protect what you love without apology

Love is not soft—it's fierce. Defend your people, your art, your heart, and your peace. Never feel guilty for drawing hard lines around what matters most.

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3. Create from wounds, not from bitterness

Pain is fuel, not poison. Turn scars into songs, poems, and purpose—but never let hurt turn you cruel. Healing doesn't mean forgetting; it means transforming.

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4. Stay unfinished

Growth ends the moment you think you're done. Allow yourself to evolve, contradict old versions of you, and change direction. Perfection is a lie—becoming is the point.

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5. Respect silence as much as sound

Not everything needs to be explained. Some truths live in pauses, looks, and restraint. Learn when to speak loudly—and when to let silence say everything.

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6. Never perform for approval

Validation fades. Integrity doesn't. Create, love, and live because it's real to you—not because it's applauded. If it costs your authenticity, it's too expensive.

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7. Choose depth over numbers

One soul reached is worth more than a thousand empty clicks. Connection matters more than clout. Build a legacy that feels, not one that just trends.

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8. Be gentle without losing your edge

Strength doesn't require cruelty. You can be kind and still dangerous. Soft-hearted doesn't mean spineless—balance empathy with backbone.

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9. Carry your past, don't let it carry you

Honor where you've been, but don't live there. Learn the lessons. Release the weight. You are not your worst moments—you're what you did after them.

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10. Leave people better than you found them

Whether through music, words, or presence—don't drain rooms, light them. If someone crosses your path, let them leave feeling seen, understood, or stronger.

Expert from ZDaddy's The ZDaddy Commandments 

ZDaddy's LIFE is meaningful & applicable 

1. Healing isn’t becoming who you were—it’s learning how to live with who you are now. - ZDaddy

2. Not everything that breaks you is meant to leave you broken. - ZDaddy

3. Some days surviving quietly is braver than winning loudly. - ZDaddy

4. You don’t need to have it figured out to keep moving forward. - ZDaddy

5. The life that feels slow is often the one teaching you the most. - ZDaddy