The Masks Behind These Masks
A Poem
The layers of masks we wear today is overwhelming
because these paper versions and neoprene ones
and all of the other side ties and double rungs
are all just holding masks over our faces
when in reality we’ve all been wearing masks for years
They just weren’t the viral-protective kind
but we have been using them as protection
from ourselves and what we feel like on the inside
The masks behind these masks are those of hyper-masculinity
and overconfidence and oh so much woe is me white fragility
that it’s almost a benefit to us all to have to wear these masks
the ones that serve and protect and block and deflect
the viral load being breathed onto us by inadvertent onlookers
and mask-resistant blowhards just waiting to be asked
to put a small thing over their mouth and nose
to protect everyone else in the general vicinity
and somehow, to them, a mask is a sign of aggression
And isn’t that really the mask behind the mask?
The mask of insecurity and ignorance…
