Somewhere behind the masks are faces
more loving than you ever dreamed.
Loving through choice
and not coercion,
possessing their own "yes" and "no"
and choosing "yes" without shame,
and choosing "no" without guilt,
and choosing love.

Somewhere behind the masks are lovers
truer than you ever dreamed.
Giving by choice
without resentment,
possessing their own "I" and "thou"
and choosing "I" without betrayal,
and choosing "thou" without regret,
and choosing love.

(c) Linda Weltner