The Masquerade

Masquerade as metaphor for life

I’m so tired of this dance

One partner after another

This masquerade is getting old

One mask after another

The music is beginning to blur

One song after another

Slipping away for sweet moments of refuge

Short spans of fictitious paradise

Confusion blending with elation blending with apathy

Returning to the chaos and noise

Alone again in the sea of faces

Empty loneliness filling with the bite of cold

Music is too loud; impossible to think

Close my eyes to listen better

Thoughts are too loud; impossible to breathe

Close my mouth to inhale easier

Breathing is too loud; impossible to relax

Give up and give in instead

Friends, foes, fidanzatos

No true differences or distinguishments

Each blur the lines and cross from one to another

More love, tragedy, satire, comedy

Than Shakespeare ever dreamt

Scene after scene and dance after dance

Same faces hide behind new masks

Relearn the old game with modified rules

Same emotions presented in new wrapping

Relive the old story with different characters

Same scenery decorated in new adornments

Revise the old mental map with modern landmarks

I’m so tired of switching masks

But wearing only one grows old quickly

I need stability but the room is spinning

Hold on to those around me to stabilize myself

But they move away too quickly leaving only air

Memories of each becoming ghosts to haunt me

Faster and faster

The music is swirling in the air

Louder and louder

The music is climaxing

Crazier and Crazier

Nearing the end

The music stops.

All is silent as the guests fade away.

Alone in the dark, finally falling into sleep.