THE MASK, a poem

The mask I wore yesterday is lost.
This is another day, but with the same misgivings-
I need another mask to hide my disfigured face,
Distorted and wrinkled with the scars of life.


The need arises, the desire demands:
The mask is an absolute necessity.
But…but it can’t be found anywhere:
The search continues, yet it meets with failure-


The realization comes with a shudder-
The mask has adhered to the skin!
It has stuck, it’s not coming off!
It is blending with the pale old skin….


Help! My soul cries out-
I scratch and tear at my face-
The scars deepen and deepen slowly and slowly
Till…….. till the distortion settles for eternity.