The Mask

Look at me,

aren't I so pretty?

Behind this mask

though,

is a sight so grotesque

The feathers and colors

of the festive cover-

hides it all

and keeps it in check.

All the while

to the world,

is my smile,

seemingly so open and free.

It's so pretty

you could easily forget,

what a horrendous freak I am.

That underneath

I cry

and my eyes are bloodshot with pain.

That side of me,

now you just don't wanna see.

But don't you know?

Don you remember?

so repulsed you were

that you gave me this mask.

To hide what you couldn't stand.

Real emotion,

real feeling,

The Real ME.

Author's Note

There are many ways I try to hide the ugliness in me, I am not looking for a rating on my poetry simply to know that I am not alone out here in my poet's strife.

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Oh no.....not alone at all!!!! I write many poems of masks, veils, illusion shadows........there are reasons for such! Sometimes life just plain sucks! And the REAL ME is not what other people want to see!
You have expressed it all very well in this write!
Sheila

[Butterflymom]

No, you are definitely not alone! This is a very intense, and heart felt piece. Keep writing, and expressing yourself...it looks like you have found a wonderful outlet, and you are talented!