I wear a mask made of thorn
no one will see my rotten form
puffing pustules spurt agape
inking out from yellow tape
though i hide myself today
someone tore my mask away
an angel came and beckoned me
though they had to reckon see
when someone hides their face away
they never see the shade of day
yet they found a made me new
that is why i thank you

I wish i was memorable
I wish i wasn’t passed by
i wish i wasn’t brushed over -
by the wandering eye
I wish i held interest for a moment or two
i wish i was seen by them or by you
i wish my presence had afterimages
i wish they remembered my differing visages
but i sit just below the horizon
out of view out of sight
i’m veiled in shadow absent of light
i am no siren
i lack the right bite
i wish i was memorable
but maybe that’s not for me
maybe a presence is something i simply cannot be