BY ELISA JULIE LONGORIA
She paints her smile
Sticky, sweet, crimson red
The Mask, she slowly puts on….
The World she lives in, reflection of a Masquerade Ball
Courting crystal, music and lights
Pastries, wine, kissing and taboo delights
Crowded room, she feels alone in his arms
He will never care for her, want her, love the real her
His vision is blinded of the beauty of the immaculate soul inside
Only I can see her light
Her eyes open, pierce the room, like a hawk searching for her prey
Where is her prince?
I hide behind the mask, lost amongst the lost souls in this joyful room
Patiently waiting for you to be by my side
I am your gentleman caller, the brave scholar
The romantic jester, the powerful experimenter
Seven lovers rolled into one, I am the Moon to your Sun
The minutes seem like hours, torturous beautiful pain
I patiently wait until our eyes meet across the room
Push him away, push through the dancing illusions, push away your fears
I see her give me a smile as she runs through the open door
I follow her, leaving the masquerade of lies behind
The pale moonlight caresses her skin
Drops of life fall from heaven, baptized in bittersweet sadness-melancholy tenderness
She walks towards the pond, the mask slowly fades away….
All she wanted was someone to hold
The watery mirror reflects the beauty she beholds
One single tear of hope falls into the crystal water
As the ripples fade, she sees my image behind her
I can no longer hide all the love I feel inside
I slowly take my mask off-show her who I really am
I take her hand, lead her in a Moonlight Dance
Her head on my chest, my heart full, reality becomes the dream
Suddenly she stops, and pushes me; away
Her hand touches my face, aching builds up in my heart
Her eyes show love, her devious smile tells another tale
She slowly puts on her mask and walks away……
This is part of a periodic creative writing series by University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students of Jennifer Buentello.