The Anonymity Of Masks Poem by Deanna Samuels

As I sit here quietly in the car
Watching the flow of people pass by
Donning their masks and entering the store
Immediately, their identity goes, they are no more
The body and clothing may be exactly the same
But - a face with a mask - something has changed
Their own persona disappeared, life battery fused
No smile to be greeted or grin to amuse
A smirk of disapproval or tight lipped for annoyed
Hoping one day to be more usefully employed
All that is now hiding behind a medley of masks
As shoppers go about quickly doing their personal tasks
Who knows, perhaps a twinkle in the eye is caught
Thus, betraying a wishful, maybe hopeful thought
Or just thankful for getting easily around the store
Achieving success with the weekly shopping score
The exit is a looming goal, the air outside refreshing
De-mask and the personality returns; undeniably pleasing

We are in this new era of anonymity with mandatory masks
No one yet knows how long this strangest of epochs lasts


Written in Courtice, Durham, Ontario, Canada - 24th July 2020