The emptiness deep inside
The emptiness deep inside
eats like a cancer on me
and I wonder where I
fit into this old life?
Every day I wear other clothes from my cupboard
hide behind a smile
that I give to the world
and see strangers smiling back at me
and even this passes me meaningless
and sometimes I wonder
who measures out my punishment
as if the Lord is not seeing me
and knows nothing about me.
l’Envoi
That which lies behind my mask
is hidden so deeply
that nothing breaks through it
and with times
it’s as if I get big surprises
when things happen unexpectedly and indeterminately
and I see how He tries to teach me big lessons
and brings about radical changes
and even turns around the worst things.
poem by Gert Strydom

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Related quotes
A Smile Is A Complicated Thing
A smile is a complicated thing, I'll tell you why,
Anyone can smile, as anyone should,
Yet still it can mask the deepest cuts, I know it's true,
It can deceive people into thinking one's okay, has it worked? ,
It can hide the tears that have dried upon ones face, can you see them?
A smile can show the world a little bit of light, if even just a glimmer,
It can take dark cracks in one's mind and disguise them, I wear a disguise,
It can put on a show for everyone to see, will you clap for me? ,
Yet a smile can also be true, I've had those too,
Offering nothing but joy and laughter, I remember those,
So before you pass off ones smile take a second to smile back, please smile at me,
Reassure them that they don't waste their smiles, are mine wasted? ,
Never judge a smile or ignore the eyes of the smiling, look in my eyes,
Look for hidden pains behind the mask, can you see? ,
Don't be deceived by the charade, listen to my silent story,
And before you pass by smile back, please smile back,
For your smile could be saying the same, do you know how I feel? ,
Everyone has reason to smile, are you smiling? ,
But a smile is a complicated things, I have told you why,
No one should smile alone, smile with me,
We all smile together for good and for bad, what's your story? ,
You're never alone, I am here,
A smile is a complicated thing, I have told you why.
poem by Bethany Maxwell

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Sonnet: Don’t You Worry
Some things may happen unexpectedly;
No need to fret or fume or feel depressed;
All things do happen for our good only;
Let’s hope that life makes feel less repressed.
We should not change in ways the world expects;
We must not change if principles are lost;
We can adjust to things if world respects;
For everything, there is a risk and cost!
Don’t you worry as God decides all things;
Just take the things as they come up to you;
None can predict the time and things, life brings;
Life brings problems and apt solutions too.
All things in life are transient, ev’n if long;
We have to do things right and not the wrong!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-26-2010
poem by John Celes

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Where Or When
When youre awake
The things you think
Come from the dreams you dream
Thought has wings,
And lots of things
Are seldom what they see
Sometimes you think youve lived before
All that you live today
Things you do come back to you
As though they knew the way
Oh, the tricks your mind can play
It seems we stood and talked like this before
We looked at each other in the same way then
But I cant remember where or when
The clothes youre wearing and the clothes you wore
The smile you are smiling you were smiling then
But I cant remember where or when
Some things that happen for the first time
Seem to be happening again
And so it seems that we have met before
And laughed before
And loved before
But who knows where or when
It seems we stood and talked like this before
We looked at each other in the same way then
But I cant remember where or when
The clothes youre wearing and the clothes you wore
The smile you are smiling you were smiling then
But I cant remember where or when
Some things that happen for the first time
Seem to be happening again
And so it seems that we have met before
And laughed before
And loved before
But who knows where or when
(richard rodgers/lorenz hart)
song performed by by George Michael

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Oblivious
Day after long dreadful day,
I come home and quietly
put on my mask
so they don't worry.
I have a fake smile
plastered on my face,
and yet they don't even
notice a difference from a real and a fake.
I tell them my day was
fairly good.... each day!
Maybe tell them I
was a little bored.
I cover up my body,
act like everything is fine.
They don't suspect a
single thing is wrong with me.
They can't see anything.
They can't see that underneath
my smile, I am screaming
for them to notice!
They can't see that underneath
my mask, I am crying.
They can't see the agony and
sorrow in my eyes.
They can't see that underneath
everything, I am bruised, cut,
and shattered to pieces.
Blood is everywhere!
They can't see that I
hide my true self from them.
They think my mask is truly me,
they don't know anything.
Late at night and on my own,
I don't have to hide.
I don't have to wear my mask
or fake smile or clothes.
I scream and cry out to the night,
blood oozing out of me,
the pieces of my heart
scatter on the floor.
No one hears my cries,
No one sees my tears.
No one can see how hurt
I have been.
And now here I go,
back down this road again.
Spiraling down further
into the darkness.
Depression is taking hold,
this time it's stronger
and even more resilient.
I don't think I will escape this time.
This darkness creeps all
around me, consuming all that is good.
Replacing the good things
with five more bad things.
It takes hold of me,
reaches inside of me
and takes out my heart.
Takes my soul out.
Then on to another
victim, leaves me,
a corpse with nothing left inside;
just a shell.
The night closes in fast.
And I prepare for the worst.
This time no one will
be there to save me.
They don't even know
that I'm already gone.
They only see what
they want to see, and it's not me...
poem by Jaana Coon

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The Face-mask of Human Beings!
Most human beings wear a mask
To hide their real face in life;
To some this is an easy task;
In modern world, such masks are rife!
Some hide the beast alive within;
Some hide their meek and soft nature;
Some hide their blunders, follies, sin;
Some hide their grief, sorrow, rapture!
Yet, why do people do such things?
– The world is not so trust-worthy;
Our earthly life, more failures brings;
We aim to live a life, ‘mirthy’!
The face reflects one’s expressions;
The eyes are mirrors of the mind;
The mask covers one’s depressions;
No one discerns the truths behind!
The ones who wear a mask for face
Are successful most times on earth;
They’ve changed the contours of the race;
Their complexion seems false from birth!
‘Why should the world know what I feel?
Why should I show my emotions?
To most, the mask is worth the deal;
And works quite well like fine potions! ’
A few really abhor masks;
They live a life on earth, real;
They’re natural in all their tasks;
Their palate loves a genuine meal!
A few may try to read your mind –
But this is not an easy task;
Let face change with what life may bring;
But never wear in life, face-mask!
Our earthly lives has ‘ups and downs’;
In joyful times, we laugh or smile;
When anger fills, we show some frowns;
This is God-destined natural style!
Remove the mask upon your face,
And meet the world with pleasant gaze;
Let face be bright and not a haze;
Thus walk or run in your own pace!
Align with Mother Nature’s codes,
And dance in life to Her love-tunes;
The Maker guides you in life’s roads;
There’s music o’er desert sand-dunes!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-12-2008
poem by John Celes

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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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Hidden
Hidden away I am.
Locked in my world of dispare.
I have to hide away.
Its safer that way.
No one can get me.
I can hide my pain.
Its all well hidden to the human life.
All hidden deep inside of me.
Hidden its all hidden.
Ive hidden myself away.
Hidden my life in my world.
Just hidden it all is.
Its best that way
poem by Amy Louise Kerswell

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Make me like a child
Lord, outside it’s pouring
and every thing ugly
I want to wash from me,
to fall in pools
at my feet.
Again to stand like a child
in the rain,
without worry
about where everything is going.
To rollick in bright drops
that hit splashing
against me
and to know with innocence
that everything comes from Your hand
and around me
every leave, branch, tree and flower
pays their homage to You.
You control even thunderbolts
and You are the One
that stops savage winds,
give life to an earth
that yearns for water.
l’Envoi
Lord, teach me
to serve You better and to understand,
and like a child to go to You
and in trust
to look at Your works
and to know that in everything
Your mighty hand
still folds around me protecting
and that all things
are possible and practicable to You.
Lord, again give to me
the trust and innocence of a child
that with my hope centred on You
I attempt to build my things
and although
the world about me blinds me,
like a scared child
to take Your strong hand in mine
and teach me
to keep You in my heart again.
poem by Gert Strydom

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We Wear the Mask
We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,--
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be overwise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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This Isn't Me
This isn't me (4/15/12)
I've been fighting about who I am all my life
Hiding behind a face that wasn't nice.
Showing people what they wanted to see
But! The truth is - that isn't me!
I'm a person who has feelings deep inside
Which I no longer want to hide.
You give me your love - and I'll give you mine
And we'll be together till the ends of time.
Let's not hide who we are
We are much bigger by far.
You came into my life when I was down and out
And turned my life inside out.
You showed me that in this world you must be yourself
And with that we may need help
That is when you walked into my life
And opened my eyes to all there is to see
You had came and rescued me.
Let us walk this road hand in hand
Cause now I really understand.
Masks should be used only on occasions
That are required, not one that is desired.
You use A mask when you are in a Broadway play
Or on a special day, such as Halloween
Where that mask must be seen.
Now with you I'll follow my dream.
poem by Louis Rams

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Today My Problems Seem To Control Me
i don't really know how i'm feeling,
i guess i feel alittle numb,
i don't really care if i feel anything,
i feel like if i do feel,
things will come up,
that will be sooo hard to handle,
i don't really want that right now,
i don't need that,
everyday i wish i had normal problems,
i wonder if that boy liked me,
i wonder if i will get a A on a test,
what should i wear tomorrow?
these little things that seem soo big to others,
seem so little to me,
i'm more concerned about,
will my actions i choose today,
bring flashbacks to come flooding back?
will all of these worries,
just bring me to not even give it a try,
will i continue to fall down a hole,
that have no way out,
at times i think i over think alot,
but over thinking makes me feel safe,
if i were to jump,
i need a safety net to catch me,
it just how i been,
i require more safety than most,
but i believe it has to do with my past,
i didn't have that protection,
during a certain time in my childhood,
becuz of that,
i believe just the little things can hurt,
i was lied to, betrayed, and lost a part of myself,
it no wonder i have days,
where i just don't want to feel,
all i want to do is hide,
hide from the hurt,
hide from my triggers that bring these unwanted feelings,
who would want to live in a world of pain?
not me, but tomorrow i feel i have to put on a brave face,
walk in a world pretending to be living,
it's a hard mask to put on,
but i feel it what the world want to see.
poem by Mona Martinez

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I want to draw you tight against me
I look away in the direction
where my longing lies
and now wish to be busy
travelling to you
and that something could heal this fear
since the being away eats,
eats like a cancer
and so eagerly I want to be
part of you, read feelings
experiences, joy and even pain
in your eyes
and the when the darkness folds in on you,
fold my arms around you
and I want to draw you tight against me
and lock out
the world and its things.
poem by Gert Strydom

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Very Clear
Money can't buy happiness?
I'll be damn...
It's in the wrong hands!
You give yours to me.
Come along on a journey
And you will definitely see...
How money can be used,
To destroy myths and trite expressions
Abused.
Give your money to me...
And I will teach you a few lessons,
That will destroy pockets of hypocrisy!
Money can't buy happiness,
For those trying to hoard it
To dress up and luster their emptiness.
Those bored to tears with inner conflicts.
With 'things' not bringing them reasons to cheer!
Get me near some money...
And I will show you the meaning of happiness,
That is very clear!
Apparently those who have it...
Find it useless to absorb and dry,
Their selfishness hidden that brings them to tears!
A greediness maintained they've denied,
Trying to buy attention and hiding this for years!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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My Fake Smile
I sit here with a smile on my face
I smile as I breath in deep
I smile as I close my eyes
And i smile all day long...
The sky is dark
as the freezing winds
Seep into my cheeks and bones,
I sit here smiling silently cold and empty
I wait here frozen in time,
With my dreams torn apart
My heart encased in a tomb
I smile to mask my true emotions
The mask wear is so perfect
One needs tocome alot closer
To see the tears trickling down my eyes
Emotions swell inside
Walking on a broken path
I look up for the rainbow
Hoping one day i will get off this
Broken Path
And on to
A NEW ONE :)
poem by Anushka Arora

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Scars From A Childhood
Scars from a childhood, some visible, some not
One on my palm from a grill that was hot.
Punishment came from nothing I did.
Clenching my fist, it was something I hid.
Why world? I'm only a kid.
Scars that are hidden by clothes that I wear,
or some on my neck covered by hair.
These are excuses for frustrations at home.
They will stay with me wherever I roam.
Why world? I'm only a kid.
Never understanding just what I did do?
accepting the scars, each one as I grew,
fragmenting my mind so I could not forget
all of these scars that are still there yet.
Why world?
I was only a kid.
Some are visible. They can't be seen.
They live inside me. They're there when I dream.
Can things be different now that I've grown?
Or will they stay with me?
Are they all that I own?
Why world?
I was only a kid.
The kids in this world that are like me,
I wonder with fear what their fate will be?
The world can be cruel when you have no defense.
Where is the decency? Where is the sense?
Why world? They are only kids.
Those that have suffered all of these scars
should see the inflictors behind iron bars.
Until this is seen as a travesty
it will continue so no one will see.
Please world, please let them see.
poem by Edwina Reizer

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Love Games
As I watch your face
I can see my life go by
You mean everyhing to me
Just cant take no more
Throw a smile my way
And the pain I feel inside
Turns to love for you
And Im yours
Do lovers ever need to hide
The things they really fell inside
I simply need you yo need me
Cant you see
Once I hoped to be
Your lover and your friend
It just cant go on
Your love games
Your love games
Do lovers ever need to hide
The things they really feel inside
If you wont show your heart to me
Set me free
Now the time has come
To show you how I feel
The love I gave to you
I cant give no more
Even now I see
The salt tears n your eyes
But it cant go on
Your love games
song performed by by Level 42

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tsunamis- God Makes: God Takes!
God makes, He breaks!
God gives, He takes!
What tragedy!
What mystery!
What suffering!
What faltering!
But Why God does, no one can know!
Why He allows? Why He says, ‘No’! ?
This is the world in which we live;
Nature will not her secrets give;
Nevertheless, we can’t complain;
There’s harmony in boon or bane;
Who dare question Almighty’s ways?
We live a life of numbered days!
Yet, God is kind and cares for us;
Without the Lord, we shall be worse;
Some things happen which we can’t take:
We never know what’s true or fake;
The science we know turns obsolete;
Our labor seems at times effete;
And yet, men say that science is God!
-Believing which is rather odd;
The earth has built her devices,
Those mitigate human vices;
The man who thinks he is all wise,
Is sooner, later cut to size;
Who dare defy the Lord’s commands
Will slip into the Devils’ hands;
We have a code and soul to keep;
If otherwise, bad things we reap;
Man cannot curb Nature’s freedom;
Harnessing it is but seldom;
God made the man better than beast,
Promising him a sumptuous Feast;
If he lives not a better life,
God gives him woes, aplenty strife;
Through Nature’s fury, God reminds
-‘Man is God’s toy, which He rewinds! ’
poem by John Celes

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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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Too Many Times
Words:deborah d. smith
Music: michael w. smith
Who do I hope to finally be?
Is it not your life in me?
Yet the hows too hard to see
Too many times
Will I ever finally be
The true intended me?
Will the old in me be freed
And left behind?
Chorus:
Too many times
Im back inside
Wanting desperately to hide
Yet I know, I know you say
You have to die
Too many times
You hear my cries
Im at the end of all my tries
So, Im open lord, so
Teach me how to die
Here I am again alone
Afraid Ill lose all that I own
Yet you see me as your one
I cannot fall
And what I am I still am not
At times I count the cost
Yet I find theres nothing lost
If I give it all
Chorus
song performed by by Michael W. Smith

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shattering Mirrors
looking in the mirror its no longer me
just a broken lifeless shell is all i see
wearing the makeup and the right clothes
the fake smile, it all puts on a show
behind the mask lays scars and bruises
so much hurt tucked away, kept hidden
the brokenness that cuts painfully deep
i see the words you scornfully screamed
and how slicing in deep they do sink
they steal anything good that's left in me
within my reflection i despise every part
the mask claiming everything's alright
when inside everything is torn apart
looking in the mirror i see my struggles
how i try so hard to be so much better
your perfect mold i always try to please
to the point of dying just to be so thin
though never good enough i am again,
looking in this mirror i hate every piece
my eyes stare back always criticizing
revealing every ugly hidden memory
forcing a smile again to keep such an act
though i am tired of this masked charade
broken down, i am unsure of another day
shattering the mirror into many pieces
is this really me? i'm aching for clarity
looking into the mirror's broken shards
i see so clearly its perfectly reflecting
this shattered image of mine i truly see
and i wonder if forever broken i will be
poem by Silentpoet Grl

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