Heart On My Face

I grab my bag and keys, put on my boots,

slip the straps behind my head, adjust,

and give my nose a pinch to fold the wire.

I breathe. Remind myself: a beacon, strong,

a message sent to all I see, to say:

I want to build a world where you belong -

the sick, the weak, immunocompromised,

disabled, spoonie, chronically fatigued.

It isn't fair that you were left behind;

it's only luck that kept me safe so far.

Well, luck and masking everywhere I go.

I do it for us both, you know? You know.

A mask is only sometimes meant to hide;

but this one shouts - says who I am inside.