What lies beneath

So much of life is conducted while hiding and protecting our inner selves. Here we have a pairing contrasting the self-built mask with the worn mask.

The Other

He invented a face for himself.
                                    Behind it,
he lived, died, and was resurrected
many times.
                    Today his face
has the wrinkles of that face.
His wrinkles have no face.

--Octavio Paz/Eliot Weinberger

The Mask

'Put off that mask of burning gold
With emerald eyes.'
'O no, my dear, you make so bold
To find if hearts be wild and wise,
And yet not cold.'

'I would but find what's there to find,
Love or deceit.'
'It was the mask engaged your mind,
And after set your heart to beat,
Not what's behind.'

'But lest you are my enemy,
I must enquire.'
'O no, my dear, let all that be;
What matter, so there is but fire
In you, in me?'

--WB Yeats