𝕞𝕒𝕤𝕜

What I would give

to fully see

behind the mask

but I already know

what I would see

a beautiful and

remarkable vessel

of humanity

hidden from view

by your worst fears

that linger to

convince you of

those forcefed lies

that they won't understand

that their view of you will change

that it's not worthy of feeling

warmth

understanding

acceptance

and unconditional love

instead

the truth is

many times we dread

pulling a bandaid off

it always seems easier

to rip off it off quickly

not because we're worried about

hurting the wound itself

but because it sticks to hair

and the surrounding skin

and becomes painful to remove

we're afraid to remove the mask

because of the way it's

grown into us

labeled us

become a part of us

we're afraid of the pain from

removing it

but what if

the mask wasn't really

needed

at all?