MASKS

Everyone wears one...don't you think?

Everyone wears a mask,

     Some more elaborate than others.

Façades that hide thoughts and feelings,

       Distort acuities and dreams.

 

We begin fashioning our mask

     When we’re too young to understand,

That once complete and donned,

     It becomes our reality.

 

Masks change perception, discoloring the world,

     Absorbing bias and vanity like a sponge.

We see and process through programmed eye holes,

     And shove a once benevolent world, into a stark little box.

 

Everyone wears a mask,

     Some more inflexible than others.

Behind that mask we sit and judge

   Without perspective or mercy.

 

A mask makes it easy to disengage,

     To withdraw and feel nothing but disdain.

We see atrocities and rationalize them,

     Until they fit nicely into our conscience.

 

Masks scrutinize the world from untouched, frozen beauty,

        Yet behind that concealment we warp and change.

 Until our once innocent visage becomes a monstrous caricature,

         No longer recognizable. No longer human. No longer Devine.

Author's Note

Not everyone's view, I'm sure...just thoughts. It seems we (humans), tend to form opinions about how others should look, feel, act, think, live...and when someone steps outside that tight, narrow box, it's unacceptable. We rationalize recrimination, justify it, and spew it as God's Will...because we all know what God thinks and feels and wants from us, right?

Reviews

[Lord of mad men]

I love this very much and it is all very true. We all do where them but we all can tell some one is wearing one but we choose not to see it. Masks are easy to make and wear but they ate hard to remove and you can fool your self to think that its not a mask its you. You may even forget what you really are and some masks are put on us by others and we just accept it. Very few we let peek under our masks and few we take off our masks for. We keep them on so long at time we think that is who we are. Some wish to become there masks others feel like they need theirs. This is a very great peice and speaks truth. I really enjoyed the read. Yours truely a mad lord

[ReedWrite]

Hello, Mad Lord! I loved your comments. These words, right here, are perfect...you really got what I was trying to say with the poem: You may even forget what you really are and some masks are put on us by others and we just accept it. Very few we let peek under our masks and few we take off our masks for. We keep them on so long at time we think that is who we are.

Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment.

[Lord of mad men]

It was my pleasure. You are very welcome.

[Richard🖌]

Another proof of consciousness brilliantly singing awakening songs of wisdom, understanding, and the stark reality of whom and what we (generally, as a people) have constantly, gradually become since time immemorial, and who's to know what we'll be like in another century or millennium?
Some wear their mask without awareness, some on purpose for a myriad of reasons, and some without comfort or desire, preferring, instead to openly shed theirs, but survival prevents it.
Was it Plato who said, "Personality is a mask, donned like actors entering upon life''s stage!"?

Still, I like your version much better, Dear Poetess, because it is more all-compassing and explains it in such a way even a simple bard as I can grasp its meaning(s).
I very much enjoyed your unrhymed, unmetered Quatrains, with their offset lines to grab and hold your fans' interest … excellent work, which I am completely compelled to hug you for sharing … ummm! ⁓ Richard : )

[ReedWrite]

Awww...I knew you would notice the unrhymed and unmetered format. In my own nonconformist way, it was an attempt to infuse an element of...discomfort, if you will. A little jarring. I didn't want it to sit well, or be comfortable. That seemed to me, to be part of the message...something I wanted the reader to feel along with me. Thank you so much for your review, Richard. I love your insight...and the hug! :)

[Richard🖌]

Well, I was squirming after every line! ; )

[ReedWrite]

LOL...were you now? There's a visual that inspires. :)

[Richard🖌]

"Grinning!"

[Chip Murison]

Yes- masks. And masks behind masks. Very true.
Reminds me of a Martin Luther King quote
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. - Martin Luther King Jr.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you for the review, Chip. Yes, MLK is one man I admire very much...he was wise beyond his time.

[Sami Khalil]

You don't conceal any truth in this truthful and realistic poem. You nailed it on the head. A fantastic write....:::))))

[ReedWrite]

Thank you so much, Sami. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you for the review! :)

[Sami Khalil]

Any time. You are welcome. ...:::)))))

[Pete]

It's very hard to be an individual. Most people go along to get along. So they hide who & what they really are. I enjoyed this very much. Nice job.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

[David Scott]

A mask, clothes, fences, texting, online personas etc... All are barriers to total transparency. Yet, like wearing clothes, sometimes we do not need to see everything to have meaningful relationships with others.
Thank you for the stimulation of thought today.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you for the review. :)