Bored
Out of mind
Sitting here in masks
Trying to check out
Without checking in
Eye contact
Evade
Waiting
Watching
Listening

hide myself in my home territory
my castle, palace, defending me from outside threats
bury my sadness beneath friendly banter
inside jokes, my family i made in this virtual space

but the one i long for isn't here anymore-
"sorry, our princess in in another castle"
someone i can tell secrets to, someone i can be real with
let go of the mask of comedian and spill an ocean of tears

and the cracks in the foundations and walls are showing through.
everyone is broken here, hiding their sadness with laughter
we're supposed to be a family,
but we can't show weakness to each other

dms are always open, we say
but once we spill just a single bucket of that ocean
everything online can be screenshotted.

For a moment I did
what was expected from me.
For a few hours I was
what I was expected to be.
Then I went back to being me
I let everyone down and they left.

You asked me
what my name was
I told you, “I was Jack”
But now that I’ve got to know you
can I take that back?
I’m actually Frank
and I only said that lie
in case I didn’t like you
and you come looking for that guy
but now that I love you
call me what you like
call me nice guy Gary
or even magic Mike
I’ll live up to any name
I’ll become any man
just call me ‘whatever’
and please,
call me when you can

Let's wear a mask!
So that we can hide our sadness or joy.
Let's wear a mask;
So that we can conceal our indifference
For the turtles that eat them in the seas.
Let's wear a mask;
So that we can ignore
Yet another coup d'etat in Myanmar.
Let's wear a mask;
So that we can buy and sell Pfizer stocks.
Let's wear a mask
As we were in Epidaur or Venice.
Let's wear a mask
So we won't breathe exhaust fumes.
Let's also wear a mask
To stop the virus.

So let’s wear a mask,
Not a great change do I ask,
Let's accept this simple task.