August 2020
Author's Note: In a recent online exchange, someone (stupidly) said "Where a mask" instead of "Wear a mask" and
another poet suggested that "Where a mask" should be the title or first line of a poem. Well... here it is.
Where a mask
was called for,
who would have guessed
what might rise to fill the need
first, the home-sewn fabrics
stiff, with long ties dangling
available in limited colors,
stodgy patterns, and mostly free
then a ghost arose
the spirit of paydays past
and future fortunes amassed
and suddenly there was bounty
every color, size, and style
was available online and off
from van gogh to stars and stripes
cartoons to classics
and the ugly and mandatory
became a fashion statement
another way to say "look here,
i'm cooler than you"
©2020 Jim Lewis
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the
author (email address above) to tell her or him. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is what builds the community at Verse Virtual.
It is very important. -JL