Hidden from myself

Dressed up in a costume
Black from head to toe
Disguised from myself

I can wander

No passing glances
From strangers I see
Because they do not know

Hidden; that is I

Trapped beneath this cloak
Masking my identity
Can I still be seen from
My secret far below?

A knife cuts deep
Stabbing across my back
The black ribbon tears

Exposing
My stark appearance
For the whole world
There on show
But do they back away
From this depth first perceived?
Or do they ponder on?

Colour fills my cheeks
As I hear laughter from the crowd
Yet not directed at I
But at those garments I wore

Laugh at the disguise
Ripped and torn
Upon the dirty floor

For I have no need
To hide my inside
If those outsiders are frightened
Then they are who hide too deep

Brightly coloured hats
And scarves I now have
Laugh all you want
It's not I, the one that's sad