Masquerade
Love
does not exist between
paper-maché facades adorned with
rhinestones, velvet trim, or gold leaf.
Of satin dresses and rayon suits,
it can’t commence by dancing with one
of the finest apparel, the finest lips.
It isn’t felt when a blush is chafed
onto cheeks by an “amorous” phrase
or if manipulative words
kiss the mind.
No.
“Because I love you” is merely
an ornament on his paper disguise.
If he has not yield
his sculpted face,
you have yet to question-
what beauty is held,
what sorrows are grieved,
what hopes are dreamt,
what secrets are kept
underneath.
Then what is there to share?
If he has not given you
a piece of his heart-
not to expect you to give him a piece of yours
in return,
but allowing you to make it yours-
are you really a piece of his?
If you are afraid
to be left alone on the
dance floor,
did you love him enough to
let him go?
Love is an action,
not just a feeling.
It isn’t a dance of the mind
spinning or
the heart skipping.
It isn’t a burden to show that someone is
important to you and
it doesn’t have any room for jealousy.
It is working together,
as a partnership without hesitation.
It is the revealing of the masquerade to share
trust, communication, thoughts, and emotions.
It is the respect, the care, the compassion that
you have for each other from a simple greeting.
It is the value that you each have for the
little things that you do for each other without
expectance.
Our world is a masquerade,
filled facades between strangers.
But
because I love you,
I take my mask off
to you.