A Dark Masquerade

We screen our likeness from even ourselves

Because truth is painful

And lies are so easy.

We all play our parts to perfection

with elaborate costumes and masks

made up of our lies

to camouflage our weaknesses.

~

We’ve forgotten our true selves

behind so many beautiful things

that we don’t want to even think about

what’s now lurking underneath.

~

Take off your mask and I’ll remove mine.

What’s behind your charming visage

of a grinning, benevolent beast?

What’s underneath your character?

What’s behind my façade?

~

But try as we may

our masks stay on.

And mirrors reflect nothing

but elegant lies,

cleverly hidden

behind laughing eyes.

(revision of an earlier poem)

Masquerade

With bright colors and laughing eyes,

I am the simulacrum of happiness.

My guise of normality is well rewarded

for could you tell it was a facade?

Could you even tell it was a semblance of camouflage

Or were you too busy with your own mask?

~

With beautiful costumes, feathers, jewels,

We are all just characters of this masque.

So what’s behind your charming visage

of a grinning, benevolent beast?

Take off your mask and I’ll remove mine.

We screen our likeness from even ourselves

When truth is painful

And lies are easy.

~

Will you give me this next dance

across the floor of our masquerade?

~

~

~

“Pleasure’s a sin, and sometimes Sin’s a pleasure” ~Lord Byron