Masks

Love can be so deceiving
covered by the masks that we wear
thinking it's love from the kisses, the warmth, the care
flattered by the compliments:
red roses and blooming sunflowers ending all the fights

Life so perfect
love so strong.
I thought he knew
I loved him,
but that mask covered all the love and affection.

The phone rings
my heart sinks
down a tube.
Answering the phone hesitantly,
I hear his voice,
jumbled thoughts
swirling throughout my head.
His voice is stuttering
and I know what his next words will be:
the ending is near.
My voice quivers;
tears are streaming down my face.
My hands tremble
as I scramble to get the phone back on the receiver.

The relationship is over;
he doesn't know how I felt -
the friendship gone, too,
even though he says, "Let's stay friends."

The next day I put on the mask:
The smiles and laughs are all fake.

Then without warning, I pass by him in the hall.
He doesn't stick out his hand, no hug, no kiss,
just a wave, like he didn't care and I was just anyone.
But my wave was all my feelings in one hand motion;
to me he wasn't just anyone.
He meant the world to me.
To me, he could do no wrong,
he was a perfect figure,
and my first love.

by J. F., New City, NY