wide nose
round ears
and whiskers
smoothed from
plaster
and built with gauze
eyes brushed
with deep browns
covered with glaze
your face
once finished
fit over mine like skin.
Underneath,
I become small
and step out of your way
two inches tall
I sit on my right ear
as you come to life
spreading our body
and roaring voice
in tremors across the room
you lay hands
on foreheads or shoulders
singing songs I've never heard
you move those touched
to tears of trembling
and laughter.
Later, I hold your face
in my hands again
and you watch
as my own mask begins to slip.
All poems copyrighted by the author, Tracey Besmark 1997©