people do this (masks)

people do this (masks)

people do this

stealing a life to the side

whittling carving sanding and polishing

a masking or unmasking

these statue-lives created

for living breathing fearlessly

will you love me

behind the mask i’ve fashioned

like a dream of beauty and confidence?

will you love me

exposed sincere and honest

the me of me laid bare and open?

yes, people do this

these mannequins of risk

we strip of common clothing

and place about the room

and hope no one will notice

or pull back their eyes and hands in disgust