My Mask

I sometimes fail to hide behind my mask
In time
Try to pull myself in so she won't catch me
To feel her slitted eyes watch me struggle
Her silent laughter makes me indignant
I feel suffocated, muffled
As if velvet curtains pressed against my mouth
My only anchor is gone, so why should I remain?
They ask me all the time why I stay,
I answer neglectingly,
For I know not
It is hate that I push down
A strong word for a strong feeling
I don't hate many people
Just her
With her false smiles and laughs and poison darts that reel you
in
Why do I let myself be seen with such a tart
A hooker of one-liners and unlimited disguises
But I tell you now that I will banish her, although I have tried
before
The hypocrite who held me back is gone
Doing just what she begged me not to do
She left, and now, so can I
I can face the Wicked Witch of the West, and walk away with my ruby
slippers intact.