Masks

This one's about my ex-best friend

I realized something

Walking into Walmart today

Mask over my face cuz it’s mandated

But that’s not the only reason, per se

See, I put the mask on

The moment I stepped outta the car

But I realized I don’t just wear it to avoid the ‘rona

I wear it to avoid getting into a spar

My ex-best friend was the leader of a gang

And for the past eight months, I’ve been in hiding

Hidden in my house away from her

In my own little world I've been biding

I know if we ever saw each other again

A fight was to be had

I’ve been trying to avoid the violence that would occur

But it’s like, no matter where I go, I can’t escape her!

She’s tainted everywhere of value to me!
She’s tainted my f*****g sanity!!

It's like I see her everywhere I go

Shouting something of profanity

Living in a small town sucks

Everyone knows who I am

They all know the reputation I’ve gained

I’ve fronted like, “I don’t give a damn”

But the truth is: I do

And I’ve been hiding for the past eight months

Please don’t take it like I’m scared to fight her

I just don’t wanna be the one that confronts

Don’t get me wrong, 

I’d fight her but only if she threw the first punch

Cuz I’m not the one that starts fights

I just end them with a crunch

She was fake from day one

And I can’t believe I didn’t see it when our "friendship" begun

Her gang’s been after me for a while

So I wear my mask

Just to avoid things getting hostile

Author's Note

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

for me the strongest part of this Prose/poem is the beginning with the Walmart scene .. so ordinary it speaks out to me .. i thought you were going to go in the direction of how we all have our "masks" ... mandated only by our own insecurities .. but you went "gang" on me ;) horrible horrible situation in the USA ... the gang thing .. such ignorance purveyed by the ignorant .. misguided .. finding "family" where there is none ... only fear and violence and cowardice says i ... a huge problem your poem brings to light in a personal way ... using first person narrative gives us a peek into two lives effecting and affected by each other and by the "gang" ... if this is fictional i can see it going further with followup stories .. if it is your life ... get out of it young lady .. you are way too smart

[Dave Brown]

yes, the gang thing is difficult and often the result of gang violence is tragic
Your using the mask is a good ploy and eventually attitudes will likely change with maturity.
Hang in and take care

[Ziggy Matthews]

"She’s tainted everywhere of value to me!
She’s tainted my f*****g sanity!!"

These two lines are so powerful! The thought of a friendship turned sour literally destroying everything. I grew up in a city, so I can't relate to the small town feeling. However, I can imagine it is just like middle school. Everyone knows everything that is happening. They know where you are. The fact that she has not only tainted every location you love, but also your mind is powerful. The imagery of not being able to escape her even in isolation and the confines of your mind. Great job!

[barleygirl]

The best aspect of this poem is how you speak so straightforward & conversationally, using a ton of real-life & relatable examples. This makes your writing feel authentic. I find it interesting how, in some phrasing it sounds like you're being gentle on your ex-friend, altho in other phrasing it sounds like you have a ton of resentment & anger. It's like you're having an inner tussle over who's writing this poem -- will it be the good person you try to be . . . or will it be the vicious b***h trying to raise her head up from deep inside you, the place where you still hurt quite a bit from this? Your solo poems are a breath of fresh air becuz you are so real with your audience (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

One of the few positives about wearing a mask, it can act as a useful disguise. (not so good though if used with criminal intention). Tuck your hair into a hat and pull it down to your eyebrows hides even more. Avoiding confrontation is grown up, particularly when there is talk of gangs. Seems writing poetry is a splendid way to occupy a mind and keep out of trouble. A well conveyed poem I might add Nix.



Chris

[Nix is typing...]

Thank you so kindly for the read and to be the first one to review, Chris!!! I appreciate it highly!! (And I must say, I do love your new profile picture!!!)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Nix, that is sweet of you. My granddaughter took this pic while we were out walking in lockdown last May. Our daily exercise, she just had to show me a bluebell wood she had come across:)

[Nix is typing...]

Well, I think you look like the queen of the wilderness in that picture :) Like all the creatures of the forest answer to you! (Omgoodness, I hope you take that as a compliment! Cuz that's what I meant it as!!!)

[Chris Shaw]

Oh yes, you have paid me a wonderful compliment and I thank you :))

[Nix is typing...]

Okay, good. Wasn't sure how you'd take that!!! You're very welcome :))))))