I'm not the girl who is missed.
Try as I may, I always come in second to the girl
who puts on her mask to fool the world
into thinking she is something she's not.

I locked my mask away 365 days ago.
Replacing it with
the identity that has been growing inside me
since the day I left the womb.

But the key is in sight.
Dangling on a chain
adorned by the girl who I've been losing to.
Who lies to the world adorning her permanent mask

Tempting me to reach out.
Stretching my fingers toward the object to make life easier,
To unlock my mask and fall into line
Returning back to the masquerade