The Masquerade Poem by Doug Lane

He stands in long lines
outside banks and 7/11's
the masked bandit,
waiting for his chance
to rob
what's left
in the till.

When he started out
this morning
he was a good citizen
just like
you and me

donning his face mask
to do his bit
to make America
corona free.

But as he drove
he thought about
his bills
his joblessness
and a devilish change
overtook him.

"Why not go
where the money is? "

So he finds himself
aligned
with his fellow Americans,
disease fighters and robbers
in one person,
praying
there will still
be cash
in the till
when it's
his turn
for enjoyment.

"At least this line, "
he thinks,
"is shorter
than the one
at unemployment."