Masks

They wear the mask of neighbor,

the mask of friend,

a handshaking grin

for the camera lens.

--

They kiss babies,

cut ribbons,

promise change,

but the mask is cheap paint,

cracking to reveal

their true rage.

--

Strip it away

and the white sheet shows,

history’s ghosts

parading as leaders,

trying to seal our fate,

smiling as they legislate hate.

--

They wear the mask of patriot,

waving flags

while they cage the poor,

starve the sick,

and bow to the highest bidder.

--

They wear the mask of justice,

but the scales tilt heavy

with profit and blood.

--

And we—

we are told

to salute,

to obey,

to trust the mask

above the skin.

--

But masks burn easy,

and faces,

once revealed,

cannot hide again.

___________________

Thanks for reading! -- Sam