Plastic Face

I am on a cruise ship

Its metal sparkles in the moonlight

I hear the waves of the ocean

Gently crash unto the ship

There is a formal dance going on

And I find myself

suddenly dressed for the occasion

The enchanting sounds of the violin

The smooth sounds of the trumpet

The romantic musings of the saxophone

And the soft sounds of drum beats

All play in the background

I push my way through the crowd

hoping to see a familiar face,

but all I see,

is a sea of strangers

Whose faces hide behind masks

The music suddenly gets softer

And people leave the dance floor

Their backs facing the wall

Confused, I stayed where I was

Then their eyes turn towards me

Plastic masks hiding behind plastic faces

Intense, immediate judgement

radiated from the crowd

Where was my mask?

their eyes seem to wonder

Where was my mask?

I started to ponder

I bring my hand up to my face

It feels like glass mixed with mace

Where was my mask?

My mind shrieks

Everyone thinks that I’m a freak

I need my mask

So that at last

This plastic face can hide behind a mask

Where is my mask?