Unseen, no one notices the lone figure,
Hands out-stretched, offering a handshake,
Deliberate, eyes not making contact,
Left outside the circle, in the cold.
Once these were friends, a memory.
Shared laughter and sadness almost faded.
Now vibes of unfriendliness keenly felt.
What went wrong, the lone figure sighs.
Shamed felt, reason unknown.
Shunned, ousted from the circle.
Snubbed outright, can it get any worse.
Yes, no one sees the lone figure.
In silence this burden hidden.
Life goes on, a mask is formed.
Standing apart, resigned to be unseen.
The lone figure puts on the mask.
By C.E. Pereira
(9-11-2014)