The Mask
written by: Lynne Kemen
@KemenLynne
The mask reminds me of Halloween
except it’s not
those masks crackled and smelled of plastic
Some were of rubber and made me sweat
the material was clingy and, well rubbery
it felt like old skin and made me cringe
The old masks let me breathe through my nose and mouth
but these masks are different
they smother my nose and my mouth
they fog my glasses
Old or new, the elastic problem is the same
after 10 minutes my ears hurt and feel smashed to my skull,
my hair is snarled-it pulls at the roots of my hair
I crinkle my eyes at strangers to smile
but they simply stare at me and move away
we’re all afraid, more scared than on Halloween
It’s the Boogieman, the murderer who kills with a touch or a sneeze
I think about criminals, bandits, but this is no game of cops and robbers
-you be the killer-
-no you-
-okay-
Tag with masks
-you’re it
– I quit
Ashes, ashes, we all fall down
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