the masked 'reader'

The Masked Reader

It comes with warmth, a friendly tone,

a note that seems to stand alone.

But read between the lines, beware—

not every praise is truly care.

“Beautifully done!” the words repeat,

yet nothing named, no detail sweet.

A hollow cheer, a practiced song,

a script that feels rehearsed, not strong.

The tale soon bends, the mask slips fast,

from reader’s joy to sales at last.

A childhood dream, a crafted pitch,

the bait‑and‑switch, the subtle switch.

Three doors are opened, all at once—

email, Discord, Insta fronts.

A net is cast both wide and deep,

to pull you where the shadows creep.

“Reach out to me, before you buy,

I’ll answer questions, don’t be shy.”

But fans don’t sell, they simply cheer,

they don’t demand you draw them near.

So, mark the signs, the subtle wrong:

the tone too smooth, the praise too long.

A mask of love, a hidden plan,

not reader’s heart, but merchant’s hand.

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