Masks

Masks

What pain is hidden by the masks of the workers crowded on the train
or the shoppers you pass in town?
What angst is buried in their souls and tortures their very being
and makes them create this facade?
I cannot recall not needing this shield to protect me from the crumbled fall;
but I am sure if I reach inside I will see and even feel such a time.
Sometimes though I believe it is only I who stares through slits of eyes 
and tries to hide the pain and fear,
but then I look hard and see their masks.

 

2005

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

I like this one too, and I can see how the two are connected. Thanks for sharing that.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you 'M' they are indeed.

[Dalia]

Exactly
If we looked hard, maybe we'll be able to see the masks, and the real face and feeling behind them.
Loved it, wonderful.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Dalia

[Frieda P]

I see what you mean, I knew we were kindred souls. :) Very aptly put being able to distinguish others do the same. Sometimes I wonder how well my facade really works or if people just don't care. Nice piece, I enjoyed seeing this in a different light.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hi Freida, I am glad it made you think. We are not as unique in our torture of ourselves through our past pain as we sometimes think.

[Mia]

Oh my goodness! It is as if you looked into my mind while writing this. I always think that life is so easy for people and I am this dark and damaged person and I must essentially put on a mask just to fit in. As silly as this may sound...it never occurred to me that all those people feel the same way I do! In your comment you said "Look at your soul and forgive any weakness as it is just human to have such frailty." That is just the perfect advice for me right now and you put it so beautifully! For all the random acts that got us to this point, I'm truly grateful and while I doubt that all is fixed or will be soon. I feel hopeful and I don't care how long it lasts, right now I feel hopeful and that is more than I expected this morning. I'm rambling and I'm not sure whether I'm making any sense. My point is...Thank you John.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Mia I am humbled.