The Masquerade

I spun around the marble floor
Spilling absinthe from my glass,
Laughing at the masked who passed
Through guttered tallow light.
When you came to dance with me
You followed my lead --

You were frightening.

That leather looked a bit like skin,
The reflective gilding and the trim
Almost seemed real to me and when
You never missed a step
I saw no strap that tied it on.

I clawed at you
To see beneath,
To know the truth,
To find the freak
In hiding in that lying piece of fabric.
Flesh came ripping in my grip,
Then your blood flowed down my wrist.

The masquerade had made me dizzy,
So how could I trust what I see?
And now, how can I blame you
For not dancing too close to me?

- Jen 12-1996

Commentary:

This is an allegorical poem about the masks we wear and authenticity of self in relationships.