My Mask – Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras

by hollop

My mask is
the shadow of me,
what others see
is but a
silhouette

shaping dark ghosts
into these lines—
confession’s specter
does not fit the face of night
eluding dimly

I cover my weaknesses
doubts, struggles and wounds
damage that fits—
mine, only mine!

and what love
can pull the phantom hidden within?
stronger than my power gripping tight?

God’s Truth

Incarnation
the Son
blessing

brokenness, lessons, perils, needs
molding deeply,
shaping uncertainties
hewn of trust trembling
Christ Jesus avows “safe”
amidst danger of masquerade’s glance

I worship Most Holy God
and my mask—and its shadow
carved of willful resistance
NO ROOM FOR INDIFFERENCE

and begin peeling fear away
I lay down the art of my disguise
h e a v i l y

my scars touched
with radiant fingerprint
identifiable
and you, O God,
are seen