The Mask
How did he do that?
Laugh,
Grin,
Joke,
Everyday?
Without even having
One
Bad
Day?
I couldn't fathom the idea
Of somebody being so obnoxiously happy
Every
Single
Day.
It was not possible.
So I began that search,
The search for the real you.
The you who
Grimaced,
Sulked,
Cried.
But the real you was also
Part of your fake side.
They were somehow,
Over time,
Melded together.
Like two metals,
Made one by force.
Reaching the real you was not easy.
But once you let me see
A glimpse,
I wanted more of that real you.
So I slowly pealed off
The
Mask.
The one that is always grinning.
And I saw behind that mask,
Your real face.
And the expression
You wore was one of
Complete
Exhaustion.
I understood.
I had tried to put on
The
Mask,
But every time I tried,
The
Mask
Would slip off.
You were tired of wearing
The
Mask.
You were tired of pretending to be
Everyone's favorite clown.
You were tired of
Laughing,
Grinning,
Joking,
Every
Single
Day.
You now understand that it is better being
The
Real
You.
And I helped you to your feet,
And when I stumbled,
You helped me steady myself.
You were my best friend.
The one I could lean on.
Sometimes
I put on that mask again,
But you pry it off
Before I got too used to it,
Because you know how hard it is to
Take it off,
And not give in to
Wanting to be popular.
Were you in pain when you wore that mask?
I know you are still haunted by it.
When you let me see that real you,
Was it a silent cry for help?
Even if it wasn't,
I helped.
I would always help you.
And that one day
That I asked you if you considered me your best friend,
You had said yes.
And when I then asked what took you so long to
Become my friend,
You had said it was because of
The
Mask.
That wretched mask
Will haunt others, too.
But as long as you are my best friend,
I will not let the mask take it's hold on you
Ever
Again.
If I had to choose one thing that I hated,
It would be
The
Mask.
