The grey lady calls them like she sees them…

and they  see her as one of them,

a reflection of their innermost fears, brought to life by her outward appearance,

fooled by her infectious masquerade, they go to her, loving her as their own,

though she is far from their own, a stranger, foreigner within her own family,

a mere mask, pulled back to reaveal, the structure within. All marble –

a smile that is permanently painted on.