The Mask I Infiltrated

“Excuse me!”

Dead. Calm. Breathing…

I’m so ashamed of the man I turned out to be.

Example:

C.’s recital. I forcibly pulled her away. Manipulated her arms and legs. I knew she wasn’t ready. I knew she wasn’t ready.

Today, I’m comfortably hiding inside a butterfly net. Mesh cutting my tongue. Tucking me away. Suiting me just fine.

I wasn’t invisible yesterday, or any day before that. I was as loud as 11a.m. on a Sunday. Though my family rectifies my history, I’m still responsible. I can’t blame them. I just do.

This mask I’ve infiltrated has no holes for eyes. It only lets me breathe, and speak.

Suffocation isn’t my punishment…Truth is.