The Beggar

Photo by Abdiel Ibarra on Unsplash

Nervously turning the metallic handle
Glancing into the cold empty room
The atmosphere is suffocating
Like trying to breathe underwater

And yet — you invited me here
Pretending to be someone else
I turn to leave
But it’s too late

Invisible aides pull me in
Obsequious hands leading the way
Soon they choke
Humiliate me for my guileless faith

Like a beggar
I ask for more
Losing myself to please you
But the offering is parsimonious

My eyes are covered
My hands move to tear the mask
It’s too late
You’ll be masked for a while.

_________________________