Face Off

No face which we can give to a matter will stead us so well at last as the truth. This alone wears well. - Thoreau

Oil on Canvas Self Portrait by David Padworny

i'm so tired of it

i don't care

it doesn't play fair

with its intimidating, blank stare

i lie down to sleep, it's there

i wake up, it's there

i look in the mirror, it's there

everywhere

i swear it's even in my underwear

always on my case

never bestowing even one iota of grace

crowding my space

picking up the pace

like a royal straight flush without the ace

flowers sans a vase

looking like it was sprayed with mace

it's everyplace

i wish it would disappear without a trace

guess i have no choice but to

face the face

Author's Note

I turned my face more exclusively than ever to the woods, where I was better known. - Thoreau