Justin Jeong “Tear-Ridden Mask of Tithonus”

TEAR-RIDDEN MASK OF TITHONUS ____________________________________________________________ by Justin Jeong, Grade 12

Vibrant this nature, the beauty she poses Wake up and grab the roses The blood, I accept. Joy I seek, the boredom I appease Wake up and climb the trees, These bruises, I accept. This chilling present, the future I aspire, Wake up and conquer the fire, These burns, I accept. The life I desire— We have it, sire. Dead, this flesh but alive, this soul Such is life, I accept. Masked, our voices, the accord they decree Awake and forced on our knees This irony, we must accept. Vaccinating our liberty, the risks they push beneath Awake and merely breathe These dreary eyes, we must accept. Distancing our souls, the spirit they put aside Awake and abide Soulless, we must accept. The life I desire… What have we, sire? Alive, this flesh but dead, this soul Such is death, I accept.