Is It The Image? Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If there are those who remain afraid,
To be brave enough to declare who they are...
Whenever they may be near or far.
Or wherever it is they may be to express.
Then...
What and who is it they represent to impress,
With a delivery of pretentions to address?
To expect an acceptance?

Is it the image?
Or the delusion of reflecting one to give?
And what is it anyone like this hope is perceived,
Left for others to believe?
When clearly an act of deception is in process.
And by which standards have been adopted,
To dropp to stop from becoming valued?
Or is it the association that quickly identifies,
That one wishes to distance?