The Mask We Wear

By Karthika Rajan

This mask we wear

The debt we pay for our treachery

Stealing life as it goes.

The air from our lungs.

The strength from our spine

The debt we pay for the lies

Our lies, now glee back at us

Lies, we do not even fathom.

And yet

Though verily overtaxed

A fraction of forgiveness

Nature flows through our bruises

Beaming at us.

Breathing

Healing

Through the tiny streaks

We've left open

In our safety confinements

And, one day

We will look out at the light

Where we came from

Searching for tenderness

Knowing how beautiful it was

For the last time

Let's call it home.

And mean it.

By Karthika Rajan