The Mask of Joy

If you look at the world around you 

and see plastic pollution,

wars in Ukraine,

squabbing politicians,

troubled people fighting 

and rainforests dying

You could put on your mask of joy

and listen to the laughter of the crows,

to the sea swishing in the shingle.

You could feel the swift of air

and marvel in the mystery 

of life swirling through the trees.

And once you feel more cheerful,

you can take off your mask

and hide it away safely

so it’s there whenever you might need it.

Zoe