Protective Coloration

It is easy,
this fitting in, this
disguise you wear,
the masque of sameness,

normalcy,
the picture our carefully paste
to the inside of your window
for those who look in,

the picture so carefully crafted
and false, protective coloration
that does not protect,
but builds your prison,

hold you in,
like an earthen dam
in monsoon season,
an illusion

that holds until
the first rivulet cuts through,
and then…
then what?

Trust me on this.
You will be surprised
and the beauty people see
when the masque is ripped away

and your perfect scars shatter
the illusion
and color
is restored,

garish,
frightening,
fascinating,
and most surprisingly,

lovable.

=====================

The picture was taken in Washington, DC.

Tom