Remonstrations of a Mask

Remonstations of a Mask

My face fits over yours
As if it was made for you...
This is, after all,
What I was made to do...
I am a mask- or maybe
I am a shield, it seems
Like sometimes
I am expected to be 
Both things at once;
Either way, I suppose
You feel better hidden
Behind me...
Thus, I've become
Someone else's face,
Or my face becomes 
Someone else's body-
Either way, you are
Taking my identity
And claiming it as your own;
I am the default scapegoat-
But no one pays attention
To the remonstrations of a mask
Claiming identity theft;
Of course, having an identity
Seems to require a soul,
And my eyes are empty holes;
They are only your windows,
So I guess I have no way
Of proving I had a Creator, too-
You are now standing before
The world, and tell them
You are... whoever you 
Want to be...
I have become whoever you
Want me to be-
I never had the choice 
To be anyone! And now-
They are all studying my face...
They are asking who I am-
But my Creator, while he
Gave me lips, never bestowed
The power of Voice-
So suddenly I am
Whoever you tell them I am...
Won't you tell them that I
Am not you? Couldn't I... 
Be someone too?
Of course not...
I was only created so you
Could be anyone.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace