The Caring Mask
I realized recently I wear a mask.

How long has this been on my face?

Will I ever remove it?

Am I a stranger to myself?

I allow the character to play itself,

Sitting in the backseat, tired

Until it becomes too much

Yes, that is me, but I’m also me

Why can’t you see, me?

I care too much.

Is there such a thing?

Valuing others above myself

Is it at my own expense?

Some friends tell me to care less.

I wonder if they’re right.

No.

Caring with one’s whole heart is our duty.

It’s my duty at least.

Perhaps my mask is caring?

I pretend to be oblivious, because people laugh.

I pretend to have it together, so others see it’s possible.

I pretend not to care because showing how much I do… who knows what would happen.

I pretend for the same reason others act it seems,

Wearing a mask for the benefit of others,

Receiving back a portion of what I put out to the world.

I think I get enough back.

Perhaps there’s no mask after all.

Maybe I’m just caring.

We’ll see, I suppose.

In the meantime,

Peace
['Mike Abbages']
['Poetry', 'Care', 'Masks', 'Peace', 'Hope']