Black silk, creased in places,
Shaded eyes and hidden faces,
Masked in feathers, beads and crêpe,
Changing form and shifting shape,
Blurring tones of gold and jewels,
Bells and tassels, queens and fools--
All before my guarded gaze;
My cautious spirit yet obeys
The call to gaudy celebration
In one warm, condensed location.
Stifled, rushed uncertainty,
Surprise at all the mystery
Fill my throbbing head with doubt;
I want to cast the dancers out.
A mask of red with taunting grin
Allows the fear to stampede in.
A purple face with lowered eyes
Whispers of the crippling lies,
And green confronts in arrogance:
Calls my own self-love to dance.
Yellow leers--possesive, near;
Blue pours woes into my ear.
Blacker silk, creased in places
Unmasks all the hidden faces
Dancing 'cross my stricken soul.
Their taunting smiles have left a hole
In old black silk, now smooth again
While masqueraders thunder in.
postscript
Poem #1 for the month. Vices and fears often disguise themselves in pretty masks and colors. The theme of being fooled here goes well with the day I think.