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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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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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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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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I Wear A Smile
I wear a smile
that never reach my eyes.
I wear a smile
that feels misplaced.
I wear a smile
that is completely fake.
I wear a smile
to drown my sorrow.
I wear a smile
but i'm so numb.
One day this mask will break,
but then it will be too late.
poem by Precious Arroyo
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Mask That Covers My Pain
I wear a mask,
A mask that covers my pain,
I wear a smile,
A smile to cover my frown,
Secretly I am sad,
No ones here to hold me,
No ones here to love me,
I have no one,
My mask covers the pain in my eyes,
My mask covers the pain in my face,
My mask covers the pain in my heart,
My mask covers the pain in me,
I am but alone,
I am but in pain,
I am the only one,
I put a mask on,
To cover my pain,
poem by Samantha Guinen
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If You Must Wear A Mask
my friend if you must
wear a mask
try the one with a contagious
smile or even the one
with loud laughter
this world is sad
so sad that it has forgotten the
shape of the smile
the links to laughter
wear the mask and
be with us
we'll take the same boat
to the other edge of
this earth
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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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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Initial Attraction
What lies beneath the surface smile?
which you display to everyone?
The mask you wear to be in style.
What lies beneath is yours alone.
Does it indicate interest?
What lies beneath the surface smile?
And will I perhaps pass the test
enjoy your company for a while.
Is it a sign of practiced guile?
or simple act of self defence.
What lies beneath the surface smile?
Must I rely on my sixth sense?
My need to know grows more intense
I am prepared to wait awhile
to try and gain your confidence.
What lies beneath the surface smile?
(poeticpiers/20/07/2007)
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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Masks
Different masks some people wear
Pretending to be true.
They really don't care
If you are sad or blue.
They put on a mask of Friend
And try to let you down.
They are amazingly sad when you are up
And feel so happy when you are down.
Some people wear the mask of Kindness
Which is the most horrible one.
They just kill you without any gun.
They tell you kind words
To relax your vigilance
Looking only for their own conveniance.
And after all they run away
Leaving you alone on a crossway.
There is a mask of Faithfulness
Which sells you as a good
And you live in ignorance like in a dark wood.
There is a mask of Love
That breaks your heart in pieces,
It talks about love without any ceases,
And sounds like a dramatic art
Without any feelings
It waits for your kneelings.
The mask of Tenderness is a vile thing,
The sweetest songs it sings
But only disappointment it brings.
Horrible mask is a mask of Duty,
It is sometimes so cutie.
It shouts hurrays and the next day it betrays.
There are so many masks some people wear,
All of them are different
But...they are all indifferent;
To your life, your feelings, your love.......
All the masks I named above
Have the same profiles
Even having different styles.
They betray, they ignore, they lie,
They don't even care if you die.
But they forget one thing:
The mask of Death is the only one for all.
That's all!
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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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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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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Failing Mask
I wear a clay mask
A mask of strength and happiness
That its true task
Is to cover my true sadness
A loss so deep and discerning
It makes my body yearning
For something to fill this void
That seems to always loid
Around my broken heart of despair
Yet so many people seem to care
Its pain is still so very deep
Of a loss I wish to not ever seek
So I wear this mask of happiness and strength
For I know its job will soon fall to length
For all the sadness and pain I have endured
This mask is going to fall
As a building to tall
So I know
It will shatter and fall
So I pray for you all
That you will not fall
To such a loss of mine
So terrible in mind
poem by Eric Mills
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Drop The Mask
(tim tickner, christopher ward, diana ross)
Look in the mirror, who do you see
Where is the man that you used to be
When you turn off the world and turn down the lights
Do you ever wonder who you are tonight
I knew you then, I love you now
You can call me up when it gets you down
Behind the shades theres someone real
Behind your eyes I wonder how you feel
This is me talking to you
Theres just one thing Im asking you to do
You gotta drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
No one knows what youre going through
Whatever it is, Ill be there for you
If you drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
I was there when it all began
I still remember the boy within the man
I understand what it means to run and hide
Theres so much that were holding onto deep down inside
This is me talking to you
The only thing that I want you to do
You gotta drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
No one knows what youre going through
Whatever it is, Ill be there for you
When you drop the mask, be yourself
Drop the mask
Trust someone else
Drop the mask
Drop the mask
Let down your guard, open your heart
Unlose your chains, dont be afraid
Drop the mask
Be yourself
Be yourself
Trust someone else
You gotta drop the mask
Let down your guard, oh you gotta drop the mask
Trust someone else
You gotta drop the mask
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Today I Shall Have Three Faces
today i shall have three faces
on one neck
like a peculiar mask in a play
that you have never seen
two faces wear the eyes of tragedy
while the last one shall wear
the smile of the century
you only know that last one
since it has been facing you all day
the two others
i keep as my dual realities.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Masks
Some people wears a mask,
afraid to let their feelings show.
Sometimes they wear them
when they are happy,
when they don’t need them at all.
Some wear a mask when they are sad
to hide their feeling there.
Some hide their anger,
others hide their shame,
while others hide behind a mask
trying to show they have no feelings at all.
poem by David Harris
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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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Sonnet: God Can’t Be Duped
Although I laugh within my heart, I cry;
Although I smile within myself, I’m sad;
Although I sin, avoiding it I try;
Although I’m sound, sometimes I feel, I’m mad.
Some actors make expressions of all kind;
Some wear a mask to dupe the beholder;
The face for all is mirror of the mind,
Becoming wrinkled, mask-like when older.
How long can you thus cheat the world this way?
Experienced men discern the false from true;
Such tricks cannot protect you every day;
There are so many ways to get a cue!
Yet, none can dupe the Maker of your heart!
He knows too well, all creatures and their art.
8-30-2002
poem by John Celes
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The Mask
Muscle flexes
From the corners of your mouth
Yes you smile
But too tired of giving them this one
For you know
You just do it
Only to satisfy his demand
No matter how grouchy you are
You have to smile
Only to fool them
What you really feel inside
But for how long
You’ll be wearing this
Come on
Be with me this time
I will lead you to a world
Where mask is not a must
To a world
Where you can be who you are
To a place
Where you can cry
When the pain is hurting so much
There’s a place for us
There’s Someone
Who’s willing to hear our sorrows and cries
He will ease the pain
He will heal the wound
For He is the Messiah
And the cradle is His church
So come to me
I am the voice
Your conscience that guides your soul
Be with me
So even for a while
You can take off your mask
poem by Rose de Ramar
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Hassle, Hassle the Crazy Cage
# Hassle hassle the crazy cage #
Raju Baruah
Mask and Mask
Here mask, there mask
Musk over musk
I have forgotten my childhood face
I have lost my childhood eyes
I have lost my childhood smiles
Where is my cittern
Where is my clad
Where I lost my self
Play with clay
Sand pitch and the toys
Dews of grass
I grab with joy
Who taught me to wear mask
From where I learn to put me in husk
Every time we cheat our self
Every time we make delft
Hassle hassle the crazy cage.
poem by Raju Baruah
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Make Me A Mask
Make me a mask
That I can wear
till day is done
The wind in the trees
The falling leaves
The worlds spinning
Make me a mask
So I can laugh
till night time comes
No more can I stay
How long must I play
This game of winning
If I had known this was only a dream
I would have awakened from this sleep
Make me a mask
So I can last
till the right time comes
A tear in my eye
To light I fly
An end is beginning
song performed by by Fleetwood Mac
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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