Pretense

Before the room-

Your bated breath,

Adorn a look-

For all to see.

~

Before yourself-

Held to a scale,

A fit to make-

The lines adjust.

~

Before the mirror-

The frown you see,

Pretend to be-

The one they made.

~

Before the crowd-

They know you aren’t,

Yet pretense is-

A face itself.

~

Before the guise-

A choice be made,

To stay as is-

Or set them straight?

~

Before the chime-

Strikes in at 12,

Your face a test-

Who will you be?

~

Before those who-

Have said their piece,

Step out into-

The light of truth.

~

Before the world-

All eyes are closed,

Look up and see-

Fresh air abates.

~

Before you’re lost-

To all they want,

Remember who-

You truly are.