Masks

by Mike Berger

Life is a charade;
we hide behind masks.
Pasted on smiles
and nervous laughs.

Masks to charm;
masks to seduce;
masks to sooth and
masks to hide pain.

Cruel masks of anger;
ugly masks of hate.
Cunning masks hiding deceit.
Masks of rape.

Gentle masks of compassion;
masks of work and sweat.
Masks of piety.
Masks of goodwill to men.

Subtle dangers lie in masks.
They hide the true self.
The danger comes when
we take the masks for real.