HIS NEW FEATHERS

He eyes the mask warily
wondering
when it will call to him.
Usually,
he is safe until dusk
and feels no need to don disguises
– but some days
he can go through days
without an urge
to update his identity
and become another.

He wonders
if this is really how it is
for everyone
as they take on different personalities
with the different populations
they’re presented.
He suspects
it may be so for everyone
but not quite so distinctly.

Who else
after all,
would put on the false face
to become who he truly is?
He considers it for a while
watching the mask
as the light changes
and day becomes dusk
and he realizes
that the pull is strong
and the call is compelling
and the need is like
that next breath
and he has to transform
and quickly
– and not like in the next half hour
or the next few minutes
but now now
NOW
and he puts on his new feathers
and transforms
at last
into himself
as he dashes into the night
to see what it has become.