Masquerade

Who are we today?
Thieves, cheaters, liars
Gentlemen, Ladies,
I am proud to present this
shell
who will steal your voices
and your selves
"not too shabby," said I,
as we danced
in the pale moonlight
and celebrated
our latest heist
Our mask is the shape
the color that we wish,
a bit of you, and you
and you
swirling in our mental pockets
hidden from view

Let's switch masks
and become something else
Let's see through
another man's eyes
Let's don a new disguise
How long can we tango
in this fool's garb?
"Forever," answered I,
and then it cracked.

Here we sit, cold and brittle
one breath will blow us away
Please, let us see
our mask
our many masks
so many,
but none will fit
and everyone sees
a stranger
Not you, nor you
just one empty ache
staring back with
coals in its eyes

I, who have no face
and paper skin made out of lies.