My Virtual Reading Room

(detail from the painting, left lower-hand corner)
(from Belle Epoque Europe FB page)
~~

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade!
Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade
Masquerade!
Look around, there's another mask behind you.

Flash of mauve
Splash of puce
Fool and king
Ghoul and goose
Green and black
Queen and priest
Trace of rouge
Face of beast
Faces!

Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round
in an inhuman race
Eye of gold
True is false
Who is who?
Curl of lip
Swirl of gown
Ace of hearts
Face of clown
Faces!

Drink it in, drink it up
Till you've drowned
In the light
In the sound
But who can name the face?

Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade!
Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Masquerade!

Burning glances, turning heads/Masquerade!
Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade!
Seething shadows breathing lies
Masquerade!

You can fool any friend who ever knew you
Masquerade!
Leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade!
Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you.