Forced Disguise

I had rolled about in the sea like a child in his mother’s womb,

Come out with my skin taut with salt and my hair coarse as a beast’s fur

To find that human norms, social conventions and friendly habits all appear to me in a blur,

In a world where even to decompose one needs to repose composed in a tomb…

So I slowly adjust my ready-made mask with its distorting lenses

In order to be visible on stage and able to express my own pretences,

And also to see society as it demands to be viewed,

Before my fellow human beasts call me uncouth or rude…

But then once more I take a path that leads me to the woods,

And again disappear into the wild as if returning home;

Out there in the lively shade of the trees exists no bad or good,

I do not feel lonely, I do not even feel alone!

The wind speaks to me and I hear him out, although I don’t understand;

My steps play drums to the gentle rippling music of streams;

Out of the corner of my eyes I see specks of sun suddenly take flight above trees;

I’m moving from earth to rock to root and never wonder how I stand…

Eventually darkness and hunger drive me back to obedience,

I accept my fellow beasts’ corrupt offer to be friends,

I seek refuge in a doomed ability all of this to express,

And it’s a beautiful pain, but a pain nevertheless…