The Chalk Mask

A large stone of chalk has two tunnels bored
By the ocean’s whirling drill
A grain of sand designed these two tunnels
Spinningly working its will

The rock’s face is puckered and aged, rounded
By the careless soft’ning sea
The two tunnels are spaced so perfectly
The rock can make a mask for me

Holding the white stone in front of my face
Tunnels in front of my eyes
A gentle hue of a heavenly blue
Creeps in from the sapphire skies

I face her and smile, though my mouth’s concealed
While all her face I behold
She smiles back and takes a picture of me
One that we’ll have til we’re old

Then I think of how old this stone mask is
Older than I’ll ever be
And even when I am long gone and dead
With ease, it will outlive me

Yet being so old, it is kind enough
To make my beloved smile
In tandem, myself and my white stone mask
Gave her joy, just for a while

“You look scary” she laughs as I wear it
And yes, I probably do
“Before I found it, it wasn’t a mask
But it became one just for you.”