Two Of Me

He approached me

and said he saw two of me

:

The person without the mask

and the person with the mask

:

"What do you mean?"

:

"Without the mask

I see

a sweet, curious

young woman

with a love

for the world."

:

"With the mask

I see

a commanding

intimidating woman

who has had a hard life."

"Who is in command in her life now

and does not allow for

anyone to interfere."

:

He said he was afraid

to talk to me

before he saw my real face

behind the mask

:

He saw me

My essence

and my shield

:

I told him both were right

:

"I'm usually sweet and easy going

but when it comes to protecting myself

I can be commanding."

:

I'm my own bodyguard

Protecting a soft woman

who is precious to me

:

It's who I've had to be

but it's not truly me

:

He said since he's spoken with me

and he's seen who I am

underneath

he no longer sees me

as the intimidating masked woman

Even with the mask still covering me

:

He used to avoid me

with fear dressed on his face

Now he speaks to me

with heart-felt joy

every chance he gets