The guests come to the masquerade.

Each person wears a different mask.

They hide behind their own disguise,

Safe from the judgmental eyes.

The guests begin a stately dance-

Robotic steps portray romance.

No one sees a stepped-on toe.

What’s kept inside no one will know.

It’s safer when the mask is worn.

A friend can’t see that you are torn.

Remove the mask and show what’s real.

Refuse to hide in solitude.