My Mask Is...
My mask is pretty
it's flashy and loud and bright
a boisterous laugh and exaggerated hand gestures
an obnoxious voice and a too wide smile
My mask is strong
its varnish my fear of rejection
the years hardening it
from porcelain to ebony to steel
My mask is pure
a strange descriptor, I know
It is what I aspire to be
without the harshness of human nature
My mask is intricate
it is crafted to be the best version of me
the person I wish I was
An almost separate entity
My mask is neutral
it takes no sides and
is nether bad nor good
it just exists
My mask is a cage
And a pair of wings
locking fractions of myself away
but letting the best parts fly free