Masks

I wake up tired.

And after checking my watch,

I know I got almost nine hours of sleep.

But weariness weighs down my limbs

Like a heavy burden of dark cloth.

I lie there, staring up at the grey sky

Through the skylight.

Only obligation makes me rise.

_

So much to do.

So many pieces of myself

To hand over.

Here, this is your piece

I say.

And here is yours.

Chunks of me given

To feed pleasantries

And buoyancy.

Because no-one wants

To hear you when

You're angry, or upset.

-

And so the smile

And the 'positivity' (big grins, now!)

Are worn like a plastic mask.

How are you? I say

But when I'm asked the same

I have to say

Oh, fine. All good.

Because you know they don't want the truth

And if you share it,

They get that uncomfortable look

Because you took off

The plastic mask

Just for a moment,

Just to breathe,

Just to unburden your heavy

Heart. of the weight.

-

But you see the fear in their eyes

And so you quickly put

Back the mask

Adjust the straps

And carry on

Until you get home

And just sit there in silence

As the mask stares back

From her shelf

Waiting to be put back on

When you next open the door.

*********************

Thank you for reading. If this resonates with you, I'm sorry. It's hard, isn't it? Maybe one day, masks will be unnecessary, but until then, make sure you have somewhere safe to take them off.