She carefully took off her face

which she then delicately placed

in a row with her other ones

and she sought a new shinier mask

with which to face the Gathering Night..

She plucked from her Personality Box

a perky, flirty model,

changeable first cold

and then blowing sexy hot

adding to this a mysterious air

from her mood selection repertoire.

These were plied on with make-up

and sweet pouty expressions;

eyes glinting aqua green

from new aqua-marine contact lenses;

she draped her hips with satin and velveteen

daring the full length mirror

to deny her as the prettiest one

who would attend the party that night.

He took off his silly face-

the clown mask-

replacing it with his hero veil,

stern look, and manly pose

and pronouncing himself

an action figure

ready for the evening's gambol.

So marching to their home's door

they faded into the gray light

confident in the faith

that reality's appearances

need only fool a few

for just one important night.

After that

another face is always there

for choosing with just a few minor repairs

can be made serviceable

for another round of night,

of masks, mystery, appearances

in the misty

gray light

of misty

gray lives;

now clinging to

the reality

that sometimes

all that matters

is momentary appearances.

Sad, but true

but understand

it is useful too

in this our society's

masquerade.

After all

should we ban Carnival

in favor of Abstract Reality?