In this life of masks
I strive to be but myself
for one whole day.

I don the Phantom style
half-face covering
most nights at work.

I can be my sarcastic self
but only so much
to not offend anyone.

And the mask only grows
as my passion becomes
form of concern to others.

Soon what makes up me
is behind the walls that
others have built up.

In relationships,
my depth and
utter proximity

to all-out madness
comes out in shades
of all-out love.

Love poetry
has seen better days
as my angst rules.

Subdued and tender,
coined “sensitive” by others
at home I am a monk.

Peaceful and quiet reflection
marks the ongoing
of most days away from it all.

Of the 90% I question
on myself
others make up the rest.

I don the mask
because it's what you think
suits me.

I've morphed into
so many things
though one person

I have forgotten
to morph into
is myself.

Once I find the answer
to the question
I am searching for

I will simply remove
the mask
and throw it to the ground.

Until then I am the masked man
that very few have known intimately.
Not even sure if I am on the list.

11/30/2011

Posted on 12/01/2011
Copyright © 2024 Jeffrey Parren