Faces

Everyday I see faces.
I see faces everyday.

I see busy, lonely faces…
I see the traces on their faces
of places they have been,
and of the rat race they fell in.
It’s a race they try to win.
In their cages, how they spin,
over and over again.
They don’t have time for friends.
Christmas came and went.
No presents or cards sent.
I see their faces.

I see angry faces…
Misplaced, disgraced, or replaced
by the dreams they chase.
Justice they crave.
Angry sharp blades are readily raised.
They have endured great pain
from building love in vain,
enduring abuse or shame,
or their loved one was slain.
The bitter cold rain left stains.                                          
They strain to keep the tears chained.
I see their faces.

I see troubled, hurt faces…
I see the time wasted in strange places,
leaving bridges of graces in blazes.
In their eyes something rages.
They tried to embrace it, and fake it.
Of fools they were made by mug shots displayed,
all for the sake of public gossip hay days.
They live in shady places to avoid cold gazes.
They are engraved with shame.
I see their faces.

And all these faces…
They are not disgraces.
They are not runway freaks
to be judged on our stages,
for entertainment gratification.
As if they owe us an explanation
for rejecting cloned beautification.
They choose isolation, not our validation.
We don’t know what they’ve traded
for their daily wages.

These scarred faces are misinterpreted
everyday.
Eyes are so gated.
I look away.
But I see them.
And to these faces, I make this statement….
I see you.  You are seen.
You matter.
And your face,
it amazes me
everyday.