Masks

Everyone has many faces
and they take them many places.
I will know them one way,
you will know another.
Everyone is running,
from cover to cover.

Behind the mask we are safe,
behind it I can have some faith.
I'm not the one you're mocking,
because I'm undercover.
You will know me one way,
others will know another.

We're always, always lying.
We're always, always crying,
unknown behind our masks,
where the truth can be safe
They all know you one way
and they will never know the other.

We always keep our best selves hidden,
knowing 'me' is just forbidden.
There's always one exception,
the person allowed past the gate
and they will know you that way,
the rest will know the other.

Then, there's those who don't.
There's a few who won't;
crowded by masked others,
forever feeling smothered,
because they will know you one way,
and know there is another.