The Veil

I am a veil,

A sheath of newness and despair,

A film of shadow and of light,

A cover not quite there.

I fasten readily to hair,

To hats of wool and crowns of gold.

I dress the plain, adorn the rich,

Praise youth and hide the old.

And whether it is warm or cold

I'm worn, and flowers comfort me

And mourn or celebrate the day

Of love and loss and misery.

I make for soothing company.

I pale the skin. I hide the pale.

You see them, though they can't see through

The veil.

Copyright 2001 Liya Khenkin