masquerade AUTHOR Charles Beckford
Why do you look at me with such contempt Are you searching for a devil Your eyes pass judgement—scanning the crowd for a partner O’ we’re the minority—yet we compose the majority of your problems Masks adorned on your face suddenly reveal the scorn in your eyes Hide your fake pleasantries so that your hatred may breathe Behind masks—all these masks Is just another on top of an existing one What a grand ball, we waltz the dance macabre while feets away There’ll be no toes to step on—just bodies to avoid I wore a black dress—dare to follow me throughout the night Be sure to avoid me in the scarlet light within the darkest room I will hide myself so that you’re forgiven This is no choice but an obligation and consideration of your fears Even while you cower behind ivory gauze—you still stand above me I’m sick and not for the reasons you think I am no harbinger of death with my tangled black veil This flesh is not diseased but that hatred of yours might fester Don’t spread it with lies—not while young chaos bleeds disorder You say that I am a blight on humanity’s unmarred skin— And you? Shall I lay out your defilements on empty beds? Dripping poison produced from your medicine cabinet into the mouth of humanity— Reduced to your sins so that you may feel compelled to pull glass from your own eye Drink to your own drug because you can’t handle feeling my pain Exceptions, extra precautions, o’ you never know! Do not look at me with such contempt I am not your folk devil to terrorize Do not demonize me
16 | APRIL 2020
