The Mask

Like a soundless rain that fell in drops,

I shed my tears beneath a mask.

And behind a wall that hid my fears,

I made a vow to make it strong.

How else can my soul be safe,

if there's no mask to hide it all?

Brick by brick, through love and pain,

I saw its use, and I saw its bane.

For in love, the lies were wrought.

And in pain, they were none but shunned.

Then how else can my heart be safe,

if the mask I don is all but vague?

And then it came! As swift and deaf,

as the nightly wind. It wrought it's way

through the layers I built. Sham!

Brick by brick, the wall came down.

By love and pain, I learnt of life.

And the mask I wore, in pieces it fell.

H. I. Kabo