There once was a girl heavier than the rest
She did fine because Mom gave her the best
Dieting just made her want to eat more
So she’d pretend that’s what G-d had in store
Her friends thought her happy without a care
The mask hid all that she could not share

Fast forward to years down the road
The girl is now getting quite old
A lot has happened in these years
Lots of smiles and many tears
At 24, she lost weight once and for all
But, the masks didn’t come off at all

From pretending to be content with her weight
To pretending she chose the right mate
From pretending not to care to not be a size 2
To pretending as a parent to know what to do
From pretending she didn’t need pretty clothes
To pretending this wasn’t the path she chose

She thought if she lost her weight
Everything will be … just great
She will no longer need to hide away
She’ll be her true self every single day
But all that changed was her figure and size
She still wasn’t true to herself in her own eyes

She learned masks don’t come off at will
And found she wore many each day still
Masks of doubt and masks of clout
Masks of perfection and masks of connection
Masks of glory and masks that hide worry
Masks smooth and neat, that hide what she really wants to eat

Life throws us curve balls at every age
With worrisome potentials at every stage
But why do we mask and put on an act?
“I’m not like you because I’m acing this task”
“I may be going through stuff you’ll never see”
“Because I’m wearing masks all over me”

Now, let’s become self-aware
How many masks DO you wear?
Ask for help when something’s transpired
It’s not a failure but rather inspired
Use the resources available to you
Take off those masks, and be true

Wishing everyone a happy and REAL Purim and year.
May the only mask you wear be on Purim!