A Fallen Idol

when something we revere, and respect, falls miserably

The tightly strapped and coated

Oxygen mask falls and

Splinters, twisted on the cement;

Gratefulness is felt for what it allowed in,

Mourning what was let out,

Fermenting into something, worse?

From here one wants to be strong

But the whispering angels invite you

To grab and hold on

To the haughty ghost that you’ve become;

A brand new song, to validate

The tears that are spilled

And resonate.

The shouting, the screams to

Instruct and announce the

Stress that intrudes

And exculpates

The sad and dreary excuses that dominate.

Where have the old masks gone, to hide

In the heat of

The sun? Is it really a reason to hesitate

The entity you have become?

Is it one?

Or none…

 

dan © 2015

Reviews

[Michelle Coleman]

Wow. Where to begin.

You have a gift with descriptive moments in time. I can see that mask fall twisted to the ground. Feel both the loss and second chance at life.

"From here one wants to be strong
But the whispering Angels invite you
To grab and hold on
To the haughty goes that you've become."

This entire poem is filled with resonating lines.

"The sad and dreary excuses that dominate." Who doesn't relate at some point or another?

And you do love those commas 😉

Well done.

[dan]

Michelle, I write a lot about the masks we all wear as defense mechanisms protecting our inner selves; I believe, however, that in keeping our real selves hidden we miss a lot of what others are trying to reach inside and engage us. This becomes a sort of dueling falsehoods that may shield us from the needed reality in our lives. And that is our ultimate loss; the real need is to know when to let our masks down to reveal the truth. Thanks so much for your insightful review. (And I believe that commas are often overused, so I actually try to limit my usage. I guess I didn't do to well in this piece.) take care...dan

[....................]

When the mask falls it is, indeed, tough to see see things for what they are not as compared to what they appeared to be. But I believe we all wear masks, especially ones that hide our emotions sometimes, covering how we feel from our loved ones and friends (especially the darker emotions). After reading this I have to wonder what mask I wear sometimes and how different my appearance would seem should that mask fall. A nice write dan. - FT

[dan]

FT, It's always been my belief that everyone at least occasionally dons mask(s) as a human nature driven defense mechanism. Like Billy Joel sings in The Stranger, "They're the faces of the stranger but we love to try them on." All of us, whether consciously or not, retain that right to cover up at times, to wear the face of a stranger, the stranger inside who dictates to us when there is a need to protect. Thanks for your great insight.. take care...dan

[....................]

You are welcome kid sir! - FT

[MsJewel]

So many great lines in this brilliant poem Dan...so vivid in description and quite dark. I like the questions at the end, which leave the reader much to think about. Your talent shines my friend.

:) Julie

[dan]

At times we all may answer questions with questions of our own, which is why I occasionally like to end a piece with one. One question we may consciously ask ourselves is, "When my mask falls away, what is then shown to the world?" Thank you for your great review. take care...dan

[Confuser]

Humm...deep and curiously creepy: I like it: This could be about so many things: Our exspectations: The title is great; I wonder about this one; clever, and it seems somehow, we let our own selves down; what was let in - the mourning not enough; but should be. You are a great writer. The descriptions in this write can lead to the assumption of death; when we die or someone else and all illusions disappear A Fallen Idol's Mask is gone; all the pretention. Dan, Thank you. Still thinking about this one. It is great writing. Dale

[dan]

Thank you, I love it when something I write leads the reader to think about it. To me, that is a key component of nicely done poetry. When our mask falls away, what is then left to show the world? Is it the REAL me, or another much more transparent mask? Thank you for your eloquent review, Dale. take care...dan

[Confuser]

Eminem's Slim Shady crept in just now: Thank you: we all keep secrets; No? Anyway, take care.

[dan]

Slim Shady? That makes ME think of 'Stan,' IMHO the best hip-hop song I've ever heard. Now I'm going to have to listen to it. Yay! take care...dan

[Confuser]

I always thought the Beastie Boys, were great; and many more rappers: love many genres: will look him up. Bye.:D

[dan]

Yes, search YouTube for Stan, by Eminem. It's a powerful song, very intense. take care...dan

[Confuser]

I'm certain I've heard it: sometimes, I just read lyrics; before any sound; it's interesting (IMHO) did get; thought you were referring to another artist....Tks.: D

[Cool Girl]

This was very unique, and I loved it! It was very creative yet delicate in a way..
It was beautiful and sentimental. You did a very good job! What is truly beyond the mask? What is behind my mask?

[dan]

No matter how honest one thinks they are, we ALL wear masks from time to time. It's a defense mechanism to protect us from the unknown...the unknown can be a very frightening concept, filled with who knows what. What's behind your mask? The REAL Cool Girl, genuine and no pretense. That's what's under everyone's masks. Thank you for the review. take care...dan

[Cool Girl]

Very true..

You're welcome, dear friend!

Take care :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i find this quite interesting and metaphorical in the sense of talking about someone who was highly esteemed and either aged into the twilight of a career, or did something really bad that brought him or her down from the pedestal that the person had been placed upon.

was all of it just a persona...was it all hiding behind the mask, and now the mask has been pulled off?

maybe..

[dan]

Yes...the mask was removed...truth was revealed. Thank you for the read/review Jacob. take care...dan