The mask

I hide behind a mask made long ago.

A mask of deceit, and a mask of lies.

A mask that can't feel sad, that can't hear "no".

A mask that is blind to it's own demise.

When I first put on this mask, I do not know,

just that I've grown to love it's safe confines.

I once suffered, now it's all for show.

The real me watches from the sidelines.

But, I can no longer find a "real me".

For so long I've repeated these false words,

wishful distortion, and I cannot free

what small humanity my body still guards.

I have grown around, and into, this mask.

And gasp for air, trapped, peering from the cracks.