Behind The Mask

Behind the mask, lies a secret

Waiting to escape its darkness

Waiting to be seen, waiting to be heard,

Day by day, it grows restless.

Behind the mask, lies my true self

Sitting in silence as I contemplate

To share it, for I may not be looked at the same

For I may turn into the ‘monster’ everyone hates.

Behind the mask, lies my identity

Waiting to be grounded, seeking a sliver

Of hope, of inspiration, of dreams

As reality hits, it begins to quiver.

Behind the mask, lies me,

my own self, waiting to be in a hold

of acceptance for who it truly is,

not thrown into a discarded mound.

Behind the mask, my personality,

Lies hidden in a safe place,

Until then, I continue to pretend

until my true self is not considered a waste.

Written by Tarini Dayal