Who are you? I ask.

The stripped-down, raw version of self.

Where do you reside in me?

A new day is upon me. How many masks will be needed?

Will I have to open myself up and chance being exposed and vulnerable? Oh, how you exhaust me!

I must go to a quiet place and peel back all these layers.

Will it take me a lifetime to find you?

Or maybe I never will…

I see you speaking to me but am I listening? —

Oh, how I long for the days long ago, the sweet kiss of my youth; my arms are not strong enough to reach down and pull you up to the surface.

Come to me and take me back to that time when my days were unadulterated and free.