I hide behind the mask of Society,

The one that imprisons the essence of so many. 

She summons each of us with promises of wealth, popularity, beauty

Power.

I cannot help but be seduced by her, 

The wants I truly yearn for,

Are thwarted by lust. 

My underlying self,

My self that I refuse for the world to see,

Is the one that rejects her advances. 

I want them to see so badly

How profusely I respect Knowledge, Nature, Love, Silence

Yet hide in fear that  their evil sister Society may turn against me;

Whisper to those around me "She is not like us; reject her."

I hide behind the curtain that all of us have been offered,

The one that promises protection.

But every now and then

I pull back the curtain

And peek.