Masking Poem by Mark Heathcote

What are we masking from
Who are we masking from
Do we even know, do we even remember?
Who do I see in the mirror
Who do you see in the same mirror?
Is it me you perceive to comprehend?
How can you know me any better than I do?
How can you be judge and jury over me?
I am like the salt in the sea.
It can be extracted in sorts,
But that isn't nearly me either.
It can be pleasant to your hungry palate or not.
It can be a foil of delight or a poison vial.
What is it I am masking,
What is it you are masking,
Why is it offensive to lock eyes
And engage in little pleasantries with you.
What are you hiding from?
Who are you hiding from?
Don't you know it is deceitful to hide your true intentions,
Am I nourishing heart food or prey?
Which is it today? Am I friend or foe,
Am I a lover or thief, a confidant or sworn enemy?
What is it you want from me?
When you don't even know what you want for yourself.
Why am I on trial here, please go,
And take a long look at your many individual selves.
And when you've stopped masking;
Then you might make heads or tales of me.
And, see, we are all part of the same reflective illusive sea.
Only yours, at times, is the polar North opposite to me.