MASK

Sun, 04/03/2016 - 03:35 -- NZMummy

Location

17520
United States
40° 6' 7.578" N, 76° 20' 46.9032" W

MASK

 

the door shuts behind me

 

my truth sticks in my throat 

 

here behind my walls i am real,

i am broken,

here behind my walls i struggle with feelings unspoken,

   

here i don’t pretend

to foe or to friend…

 

here the mask 

comes off.  (gesture)

 

out there i walk with lies in my pockets

i dish them out to all who asks ‘How are you?’ 

I smile and say ‘i’m good’ (big smile)

…but my heart is breaking - I smile and say ‘i’m fine’

…but inside me it is aching so bad …

 

out there I am ‘Happy Barbie’ 

 

broadly smiling 

always beguiling

never crying

ever denying…the truth of my heart

 

out there my veneer of pretence sticks to me, 

it makes me shine like plastic…

i wear my plastic barbie smile

 

but in here behind my walls i wear my house clothes

my hat of fear 

my shoes of shame

my scarf of guilt

my coat of pain

 

Merciful Adonai, 

to You I cry

as peace that passes understanding passes me by

 

you strip away the veneer

you see beyond the mask

 

 

(C) Elizabeth Herr 2016

Poetry Terms Demonstrated: 

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741