MASKS

Beautiful smiles
adorn the faces here.
Smiles that mask the
devious designs
in spiteful eyes.

Caustic tongues and
razor-sharp hands,
from behind the veil
of sweet words,
inflict deep gashes,

send furrows of pain

down arched, bent spines
and tender hearts.

wounds, which are but

gaping blue mouths

rotting with the toxic hatred

from humans of a different faith.

Maybe it's time

to peel away the layers,

to shed the masks

when faiths begin to ordain

abhorrence for others.

It's time

To unlearn the unholy diktat,

relearn compassion and love,

to heal the inner self.