You must read this, and watch the video…

Masks for Facial Disfigurement Department

Compassion and horror. Thank God they so often go hand in hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

there was a hole
in my face. they laid
copper on me
and made me again.

before she painted me
back to fullness, she touched
my blasted cheek and
learned me.

i will not move my lips again.
i will not smile. no one will turn away
until i get close enough to let them see
i will not smile or move for them.

she laid a hand upon me
where no one can see but me,
looking in the mirror for what is gone.
i will not move my face again

for the people in the street,
but there are days
when i think of her when i am alone
and i swear the metal bends a bit.