The Mask

[Guest guest]

For so long

you had me fooled.

Not so hard,

to slip by this old man,

ever ready

to rise to any challenge,

and brandish

the sword of anger

in the face

of stinging scorn.

But no more,

your nearness

has softened my eyes,

your gentle comfort

has unveiled

the anguish and loneliness

that feeds

the fire of spite

in too many.

And under each

scowling mask,

I can only see

your beloved

smiling face.

 

Mace