Not longer loved or fostered by religion, beauty is lifted from its face as a mask, and its absence exposes features on that face which threaten to become incomprehensible to man.
quote by Hans Urs von Balthasar

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Most Visible Mask
you have loved the most visible mask i have
my face
everyday, this face, tomorrow this face, yesterday
this face
you are proud of my nose, and you tell all your friends about
it
aquiline, conquest of a nose, occupying almost all parts
of your territory
not even the hands but this face
the mouth that eats you
the eyes that close when
i kiss you
the tongue that maps out
what has to be found when lost
this face, the most visible mask
inside
is the real face, the face of my mind
it is thinking something else
all these years
the invisible mask is silent
tomorrow shall be the scorn
you must bear it,
you are fond of the most visible
though not really enduring.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Because the mask is your face, the face is a mask, so I'm thinking of the face as a mask because of the way I see faces is coming from an African vision of the mask which is the thing that we carry around with us, it is our presentation, it's our front, it's our face.
quote by Faith Ringgold

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Right Mask
One night a poem came up to a poet
From now on, it said, you must wear a mask.
What kind of mask? asked the poet.
A rose mask, said the poem.
I've used it already, said the poet,
I've exhausted it.
Then wear the mask that's made out of
a nightingale's song, use that mask.
Oh, it's an old mask, said the poet,
it's all used up.
Nonsense, said the poem, it's the perfect mask,
still, try on the god mask,
now that mask illuminates heaven.
It's a tight mask, said the poet,
and the stars crawl about in it like ants.
Then try on the troubador's mask, or the singer's mask,
try on all the popular masks.
I have, said the poet, but they fit so easily.
The poem was getting impatient,
it stamped its feet like a child,
it screamed. Then try on your own face,
try the one mask that terrifies,
the mask only you could possibly use,
the mask only you could wear out.
The poet tore at his face til it bled,
this mask? he yelled, this mask?
Yes, said the poem, yes.
But the poet was tired of masks,
he had lived too long with them,
he snatched at the poem and stuck it in his face.
Its screams were muffled, it wept, it tried to be lyrical,
it wriggled into his eyes and mouth.
Next day his friends were afraid of him,
he looked so distorted.
Now it's the right mask, said the poem, the right mask.
It clung to him lovingly and never let go again.
poem by Brian Patten

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I hail thee! Woman
Player one, two, three
I hail thee! Woman
Each day it is an awesome task
To cover her face with a mask
A different one she wears each day
A mask of beauty beneath a mask of love
A mask of pain embroided by sorrow
Lifes of loved ones lost
She would gladly like to re-borrow
She is the perfect player
She is the perfect mother
She is the perfect daughter
She is the perfect lover
Player one, two, three
I hail thee! Woman
There she wears her mask again
A mask of conniving sharpness and evil
And a parting deal with the devil
A mask of infinite ideas
And one of fictional loving care
Player one, two, three
I hail thee! Woman
Copyright 2006 - Sylvia Chidi
poem by Sylvia Chidi

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If You
If you lift your index finger
to someone, you must know,
the four others are towards you.
If you don't have the courage,
to face one, don't try to
humiliate him under the guise,
of a person whose mask disturbs you.
My face will then turn into,
another mask, may be worse,
than yours, then where will you
hide your ugly face and utterance?
poem by Nilakshi Das

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Face In The Sun
its ok to be lonely
its ok, still waiting for
well its ok to feel you're the only
like a loaded gun just bound to explode
just like the story goes
if you been raised
to believe in your soul
i'm sure you'll find your face
face in the sun
face in the sun
face in the sun
well its ok to be loved with
the way the sun shines above your face
well its ok if you've had enough of this
a lack of light been around for days
inside thinking of sunsets
leaving behind
i hope i find my face
face in the sun
face in the sun
face in the sun
i, i, i, i, i, i
i, i, i, i, i, i
i, i, i, i, i, i
i, i, i, i, i, i
face in the sun
face in the sun
face in the sun
face in the sun
i hope you find it
i, i, i, i, i, i
i, i, i, i, i, i
i, i, i, i, i, i
i, i, i, i, i, i
i, i, i, i, i, i
song performed by by Simple Minds

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Mask
You wear a mask upon your face
So people wont know of your sin and disgrace
Or of the things that you have said and done
And of the life you have ended and then again begun.
You cover up your lines and all of your tears
So no one can see the worries and your fears
Or of the anger and the hate that's on your face
So upon your face a mask you did paste.
But I wonder if anyone really does know
The color of your cheeks or the shape of your nose
Or the saddened bags underneath your eyes
From the guilt you felt from the tears of your lies.
And when you meet people I wonder do they stare
Maybe they think to themselves, who is really behind there
But then you don't care what people might say or ask
As you can conceal all, when you wear your mask.
And so that mask you will wear till your dying days
As it will become you in so many very different ways
But one day in death your mask it will then be removed
Then man and all will stand in sadness, as they see the real you.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave

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Beautiful One
Oh beautiful one, adorned with spell
To ravage my world as might a sweet angel.
Oh beautiful thing, so much at ease:
Allure of caressing breeze in touch gentle.
Oh beautiful creature, sail me do,
As floating on seas of halcyon blue tincture.
You beautiful being, gracing charm
And features that render feel of deep texture.
Your beautiful poise in glide supreme,
Gives such like a vista honed as from heaven.
That beautiful art of face ornate,
Not ever to understate or be riven.
Your beautiful flame of pulchritude
Doth dizzy me high, so I conclude always
You beautiful girl forever be
My shining Janette; my guide; my stairway.
Copyright © Mark R Slaughter 2009
All rights reserved
beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty
beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty
beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty
beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty
beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty beauty
poem by Mark R Slaughter

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She'll hide her face
She'll hide her face when shes not alone.
she slaps on her a mask, but its not her own.
It's the mask that everyone else wears.
She wants to be just like them
supposedly free with glee.
Free from her troubles, worries and strife.
Free from her demons that dominate her life.
But when the darkness falls.
And she's all her alone she can't hide her face.
Her mask falls and crumbles apart.
Her heart fills with the numbness she's had for many years.
Now her tears will fall she's all alone.
In her last bid for a better life,
She let the mask slip once.
She had to put it on again as they stared at her in disbelife.
The world didn't want to see her pain.
Rather belives she's an annoying pain.
So Her mask went back on.
Well she planned the day when she'd be gone.
poem by Amy Louise Kerswell

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Beauty, No Longer Seen
Beauty, no longer seen; love, no longer shown;
Yet, I honor this beauty, with a love that has always grown!
An iniquitous world keeps us apart-
Silence is all I have-yet, I wish to impart
My deepest and most profound sense of pride,
Upon mentation of your absence-woe, I have tried!
My heart-rending lamentation knows not, cease-
Until our consort shall again render its release;
Days are no longer days; life, no longer life-
With your continued absence, I see only continued strife;
I want only this heartache to take its leave-
Then only, may I begin to properly grieve-
To let go of all that I have lost-
With nearly all, including my very life, the cost!
-Maurice Harris,18 November 2010
poem by Maurice Harris

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: God, Give us more Patience
When things seem to happen contrariwise,
A state of hopelessness also prevails;
When virtues are suppressed by men of vice,
The oppressed class still faces mighty gales.
‘O God, Hast Thou forsaken us? ’ We ask;
I taunt myself for being in great haste;
Have I to wear like others God, a mask?
The environs disfavor ones who’re chaste.
O God, let not the upright go berserk!
Help us to undergo this transient face;
Let not the mishaps threaten us or irk;
Let Thine grace help us challenges to face.
But let us not slide down the upright-hill,
Or take our bath in polluted a rill.
poem by John Celes

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This Mask
this is the mask you love most
and it is you who always ask me to wear it
the happy face
the look of a rich man to save you from your financial distress
the look of desire to save you from loneliness
the penetrating eyes
lips hungry for your kisses
smooth skin for you to feast upon in your caress
i will wear this mask today and tomorrow
i have nothing to hide
i am honest and you have loved me
inside this mask
how can i blame you? you also need to relax and feel life
even for a moment
of this illusion
anyway, reality is always there
why bother
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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Doubtful Religion
Men who underwent a religion cast doubt,
When they force smiles and laughter they ride
Into a state of relaxation.
They doubt that the secular person is fed
By the spoons of luxury,
By those in charge of customs and traditions.
They boil into steam,
Vanishing from the face of the Earth
For this world and after it.
May God’s cloak be lifted and His face
Get seen, singing sweetly like a century.
poem by Naveed Akram

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Woman In Me (feat. Destiny's Child)
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Ohhhhh
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
As I look in, look in the mirror I see
Life is really here to be with me, oh
I can see myself getting stronger everyday
I'm not the same woman I used to be
So now I tell myself I am thinkin strong
I see the beauty lying within my soul
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
When I love myself I can do whatever I want
Doesn't matter what you do to me, do to me
Honest people, there's a possibility
To tell you my real reality
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be (I wanna be)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (woman in me baby)
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Doo doo da da da da da
Can you see the woman in me
Do you really wanna see the woman in me
Hahha, let me show you
Don't underestimate the woman I become
The woman I am
So now I tell myself that I'm thinkin I'm strong
And I see the beauty lying within my soul
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be (I wanna be)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be (I wanna be)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be (I wanna be)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be (I wanna be)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be (I wanna be)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman that I wanna be (I wanna be)
The face that I see it's the woman in me
It's the woman in me I see (I see)
(laughter
song performed by by Jessica Simpson

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Love me Not Anymore
you have seen the prince in me
descending from the sun riding on the clouds
and you have loved me
we meet in your dreams and make love like we are true lovers
in haze in specks of light you touched my face and body
and then i leave you empty handed with nothing but memories
and you cried you miss me
love me not anymore for i cannot be with you
what do you expect about air and fantasy?
what can absence do to you except to make you as lonely
as a dripping water from the walls that divide us
in your next dream i shall come as a villain
in a black robe and i shall wear the face of evil
and i shall give you fear and hate
and you shall not long for me anymore
i have loved you too
but things don't just fit
for both of us
in strange worlds so different and apart
love me not anymore, for you cannot be mine
i go, but i shall not forget, you must
i am the absence
in the field of your love and longing
i am as useless as a sand dripping from your fingers.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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Beneath The Mask
Beneath the mask her wander lies
projecting an image for lovers eyes.
Such endless beauty my eyes behold,
under the mask she wears so bold
She hides behind her vain-full pride,
The twist and turn of storms inside.
She sits so still, so calm a girl
And guards with faith her hidden pearl.
Behold the mask covers her face
For between its cracks lies hidden grace
And beneath that mystic mask of wood
Lies secrets of a love so good
She needs to see through sudden glee
She needs not wear the mask for me.
In her glory I need to bask
For I love the girl who wear the mask.
Beneath the mask
There is a love and compassion
Inhibition and insecurities,
But there is also the girl I love
poem by C.F Francis

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When You Are Old
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
poem by William Butler Yeats

Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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On The Number Three
Beauty rests not in one fix'd Place,
But seems to reign in every Face;
'Tis nothing sure, but Fancy then,
In various Forms bewitching Men;
Or is it Shape and Colour fram'd,
Proportion just, and woman nam'd?
If Fancy only rul'd in Love,
Why shou'd it then so strongly move?
Or why shou'd all that Look, agree
To own its mighty Pow'r in three?
In Three it shews a different Face,
Each shining with peculiar Grace;
Kindred a Native Likeness gives,
Which pleases, as in All it lives;
And where the Features disagree,
We praise the dear Variety.
Then Beauty surely ne'er was yet,
So much unlike it self and so complete.
poem by Thomas Parnell

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What is beauty
beauty they say
is being fair of face
beauty is unexplainable
its everywhere, at everyplace
theres beauty in a mothers eyes
and beauty in a babys face
beauty in a soaring tree
and beauty in a
deserted place
beauty in knobbly hands,
that are weathered due to toil and pace
beauty in natures creations
beauty in His kindness and grace
beauty in the joy of parenthood
beauty in the love of friends
beauty too in adversities
and the angels of mercy he also sends
so much beauty, so much joy
all around if we care to see
this world is full of wondrous things
not apparent to you and me
stop to savour reflect awhile
there is beauty all around
things that happen, prayers anwered
His beauty leaves you spellbound
poem by Arti Chopra

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Art of Face
Whether pretty, whether ugly
Whether smooth, whether wrinkles
Strong character or average standard
Face is the front line charisma
Whether wall, whether comical
Whether mugged, whether candid
Trained facial, natural pose
Face is the shadow of world
Raising bow, twitching nerves
Blushing cheek, glittering sweat
Curving lips, mocking tongue
Face is emotion expression
Whether poker, whether joker
The fierce tiger, the cute doll
Sometimes impress, sometimes deceive
Face is the image of mind
Plastic surgery, covering veil
Forged by time, painted by culture
The beauty of Helen, the curse of Medusa
Face is the mask of creature
poem by Maria Sudibyo

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