I Wear A Mask! Poem by La Gina Gross

I wear a mask and behind that mask is fear;

fear of the pandemic that surrounds me;

a virus that shortens my breath

AND

racial injustice that yells "I can't breathe"

I wear a mask and behind that mask is a warrior living cautiously;

My armor from Ephesians 6 is secured tightly;

but my sword is raised only slightly …

I have to keep the truth alive but how can I?

I've been injured and my sight is blurry … I might die

so please God tell me …

if this person my friend or my foe?

Lord I know … You know;

I wear a mask to protect myself;

from enemies that I thought were friends;

AND

friends who I know are enemies;

Will you protect me?

Or should I protect you?

Our masks should make us good companions;

Fellow mask wearers … armor bearers of good;

But we are separated by our fear of getting sick;

too sick to care about our commonality;

our community or our consciousness;

Yes! I'm still wearing a mask because now it is comfortable to live

not knowing…

Who I am;

who you are;

And

what tomorrow will bring

BUT

I will take my mask off;

if you will too …

Just for a few minutes …

to look into each other's face

BREATHING

Inhaling in

Exhaling out

BREATHING

our air together

not created by us

given by dominion to us

By a God who loves us

Unconditionally,

Who never wears a mask!