About That Mask

My story (since you cared to ask)
Is this: I never wore a mask
And it made some people irritated:
My disguise could not be penetrated

Because it was just…no disguise.
They disbelieved. Antagonized,
They attempted my mask to displace–
and in so doing, removed my face.

And I gained a freedom seldom known:
To choose what features to call my own.
What kind of gaze, what twitch of mouth;
What expression to wear if things go South.

So I carved a mask made out of Bane
Of Opposite, Reverser: Pain.
Dear hunters, add this to your risks:
Cruelty breeds Basilisks.

But the thoughtless righteous self-correct
And due rewards they’ll thus collect.
If by my gaze, they’re pierced and caught
They should rejoice:
They found the face they sought.

Jeff Mach Written by:

Jeff Mach is an author, playwright, event creator, and certified Villain. You can always pick up his bestselling first novel, "There and NEVER, EVER BACK AGAIN"—or, indeed, his increasingly large selection of other peculiar books. If you'd like to talk more to Jeff, or if you're simply a Monstrous Creature yourself, stop by @darklordjournal on Twitter, or The Dark Lord Journal on Facebook.