M-a-s-q-u-e.

Me.

Mask. Me.

Ask me, see me; look within…
Past my mask,
Past my scars,
Past my fears,
Past my charms,
Past my ugly weakness,
Down to the soul and
The soil of my sin.

Yes, I hide here but I will also
Reveal the real, in me.
Behind this shield,
I stay closed
But the door of my
Face tells more,
For those who can see.

Clearly, I am a clown.
That is plainly shown.
But beware:
I am also a bringer of truth --
My truth -- and my beliefs
Are born from deep in the bone.
I stand in defense of my voice
Like a soldier behind the wire.
I bring my armor for the war:
My heart, my hope,
my humanity,
my burning inner fire!

I bring a desperate spirit of courage
And uncompromising desire.
With this act, I will change the way things are!

Though I wear a disguise,
I will enter the theater and
Take my place
On stage.

I will perform my story --
The tale of a tragic martyr -- and
Give expression to my rage.

I will wear the mask,
Secure the armor,
And raise the shield.
I offer to the world the
Chain-mail of my flesh,
My tarnished soul,
My battered bones and
Bronzed heart, concealed.

From this stage,
I will show my scars,
I will engage the enemy.
I will **** my fear.

My mask tells so much,
For those who can hear.