I am Batman

Hidden behind a mask

Used to hide my true identity

With this mask on I am fearless

I can be a savior,

I am worth something.

I wear a black suit of armor

Protective and strong

Thicker than my own skin

Keeping my weaknesses covered

A yellow utility belt

Across my waist

Holding me together

When I want to fall apart

All my coping tools

Used to help others

Instead of me

Gadgets used to keep myself

Alive and of some use to people

However

I am Bruce Wayne too

Except no one knows

I take off my mask

And I am grizzled,

Pained,

And looked down upon

By those who don’t know

The real me at all.

The black suit comes off

And I am torn up,

Strong, but weathered

From years of abuse

At the hands of my peers

The tool belt off with it

I can only fall apart when I am alone

And my tools

Are expended

On those others

And I am left without

The ability to cope

One day,

Bruce Wayne will die

But Batman

And the idea of him

Will live on.

I am not the real me

Not to anyone else but myself

And the real me is nothing

Compared to the Batman

That I am

And can be.