She hides

She peaks through the portal
before darting off to hide
the more that she is seen
the more fleeting she is
behind the lashes she looks out
too content to do anymore

The mask protects her nature
distracts my eyes with its
vivid colors, allows only a glimpse--
its purpose is to conceal
to make her fade into the crowd
so she can not be found

Its her vibrancy that captures,
entices, and lures me in
more beautiful than the ornate mask
more intriguing than the outside image
the truth she tends to hide is the
one I long to know
 
The closer I come
the farther she retreats
she runs, but desires to stay
she is tired of hiding
only when she believes me
will she come forth to the open