WHEN A MASK IS A GOOD THING

H.  W. Bryce

A masked man is a threat,

Other than the Lone Ranger and the like.

Masks are for bank robbers, thieves,

Hold up men. Masks mark threats,

Represent danger. Wakens prejudice.

We all wear masks, though. We wear

A different facial expression and hide

Behind different words for different

People, different situations. We show

Our real face, our honest selves to our

Lovers, our mates.      Mostly.

These masks are worn for protection, for

The good guys and the bad.

But then, along comes a deadly disease,

And masks become a good thing. For

Protection. Ours and yours.

And suddenly, for some, perhaps for most,

Honesty is revealed. Co-operation rules.

Care and caring delves deep. The learning

Curve no longer quite so steep. The starkness

Of the truth of reality cuts to the soul. And

Now the mask is a good thing. To wear.

The truth is told through the eyes.

The proof is in the action.

Post pandemic, let us put our masks aside

And see each other, face for honest face.

Soon will come the handshakes, the hugs,

The silly, happy grins open upon our mugs.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay