The Mask

When I came into being

I was not such a gifted
the World was waiting for,
to take it a step forward
Nor did I have special skills,
when not put to use
things would knuckle under and come to their knees.
I had no such a commitment or a belief
that I would die for If a push comes to shove..
I got along with whoever
happens to sit on the realm of power.

But one of those days, I felt
I needed a bit more prestige for myself
I pulled down an invisible mask from the shelf
and put it on my face
and began to masquerade that I profess
the ideology everyone has dressed.

It has now been so long
since I wore the mask,
searching - For the life of me,
I could not remember who the initial soul I was.
Or to which clan or belief
Initially I did belong.
One thing though
I have so much power and fame
neither the gifted nor the skilled
could now claim or could have ever dreat.

© Haileselassie Giramy
Draft 25/4/98