An American Masquerade

We cover our eyes with our faith & our dreams

We put on the gowns of our identity

We await our turn to make an entrance down the spiral staircase

We march around in our affectation

We pretend to know who we are

We pretend to know who you are

We don't want to see the wrinkles of your life

So then you can't see ours

We would rather pretend to know

Why can't we ripe off the masks?

Let others see our bloodshot eyes

Let them see our running mascara

So we can see theirs

Why can't we rip off the gowns?

Let ourselves be what we are

Let others be who they are

Oh, what I would do to destroy this American masquerade

Chaos wrapped in a packaged & tied with a red ribbon

Although I could take five blogs to discuss politics

and the remarks of McCain supporters

I have decided to no longer concentrate on such comments

but rather celebrate that I am witnessing something that will go down in the history books

I am anxious.

I am anxious about how I can help the world

and how the world will help me.

I desire to be among those whom others are fearful of,

whom others ignore because of this fear,

whom others deny, whom others prefer not to talk about.

This anxiousness of mine has given me great passion and great uneasiness.

I've learned the good and bad of such.

Sometimes you have to let go to hold on.

Sometimes you have to go slow to get somewhere quickly.

I have had to let go many desires and thoughts that I can change the world.

I've had to do this so I can hold closely a passion that will have great influence on others.

I've had to let go of the thought that the world's suffering will end because of my actions,

in doing so I have held closely God's promise and ability to place myself and others in many situations where we can positively influence others.

I've had to let go of desire to leave everything behind and go straight to the places I want to be.

In doing so, I've held on to the importance of investing into a community

and seeing the influence I can have in all places.

I've held onto the truth that it takes time to reach your ideal place and position.

I am bound for dirty and dusty places.

I am bound to rub elbows with filth.

I am bound to see God, caked in mud and with the scent of Scotch.

I am bound to follow Jesus into these places.

I am bound to leave those places never the same.