iron mask   clad in armor   vast fear   disguised as wisdom   in the end   the fortress falls   nothing survives   that is false         constant desire for virtue, the higher   achieve the right to judge our brethren with a smile   distortion clinging salvation hangs on by a thread   to all we think we know   illusions of what is gained      to be favored or disgraced   is to live in fear   no matter how we try   we walk the path alone         cherished beliefs   dependant upon the past   the past and the future   phantoms in the now      overwhelmed with the struggle   try to achieve redemption   grapple with the values   of those who seek control   impressions of the righteous   such a pitiful waste create the seeds of hate   loss   gain   perpetuate   the mental tyrant