The Mask Poem by James Casey

The Mask

I caught a glimpse of them again, I see
The dark shadows that seem to chase
I will never question their presence.
Learned to accept their existence.

They think I can not see them appear
Honestly, I've become used to them near
Somehow they seem different to me this time,
They have always appeared at nighttime

Instead of just formless dark silhouettes at night,
Masked entities are now what I 'm catching sight
My pulse quickens as I sense a threat
But I have had no real omen as yet

Suddenly, I see these shadowy forms dare to take from me
Things I hold dear, are in their grasp and then they flee
Almost as if my very existence is threatened by their presence.
Why take from me now? Go back to shadows and silence

Searching for an escape, I sense the figures drawing closer,
But how does one hide from a shadow? , I need an enclosure
Panic rises within me as I am overwhelmed by the ominous beings,
Frightened that I will soon lose everyone and all my belongings

Fighting the shadowy intruders only causes them to multiply,
Soon I face an undefeatable army. I am hard pressed for an ally
A distant voice intercedes, giving me instruction, then roars
' Unmask the figures, unmask the figures ' the voice implores.

Summoning my courage and willing my panic to subside, I concur,
Stretching out a tentative hand, I pull the mask from the nearest figure.
Disbelief consumes me as I discover that the masked figure bears my face,
So I unmask another, then another, then all have the same dog face

The shadows I believed were chasing me were in fact…me,
Unmasking my stalkers makes them disappear, it seems to set me free
Is it myself that I fear, or something else? then it becomes clear,
That the fear I have is the masked, hidden parts within me.

Jim 1975