Masks

       I've made many masks for fun throughout the years:
       extremes for the chorus in their ritual chanting,
       the painted clown with the carefully situate tears,
       the satyr's mask with its lustful rictus panting.

       Rarely though have I put them to any use.
       I have never really felt the need to hide.
       What you see is what you get;  I refuse
       to take concealment behind a mask of pride.


       Fear not.  I hear your mocking laughter,
       your disbelief that what I told is truth.
       To me the liar's quinsy you'd bequeath
       that, masks made, I never used them after
       and claim that I have deceived myself since youth              
       and should tear off the mask, to show the skull beneath .