The Refugees

In the shabby train no seat is vacant.
The child in the ripped mask
Sprawls undisturbed in the waste
Of the smashed compartment. Is their calm extravagant?
They had faces and lives like you. What was it they possessed
That they were willing to trade for this?
The dried blood sparkles along the mask
Of the child who yesterday possessed
A country welcomer than this.
Did he? All night into the waste
The train moves silently. The faces are vacant.
Have none of them found the cost extravagant?
How could they? They gave what they possessed.
Here all the purses are vacant.
And what else could satisfy the extravagant
Tears and wish of the child but this?
Impose its canceling terrible mask
On the days and faces and lives they waste?
What else are their lives but a journey to the vacant
Satisfaction of death? And the mask
They wear tonight through their waste
Is death's rehearsal. Is it really extravagant
To read in their faces: What is there we possessed
That we were unwilling to trade for this?

poem by Randall JarrellReport problemRelated quotes
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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 PattenReport problemRelated quotes
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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 RinggoldReport problemRelated quotes
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Of all the wastes of human ignorance perhaps the most extravagant and costly to human growth has been the waste of the distinctive powers of womanhood after the child-bearing age.

quote by Anna Garlin SpencerReport problemRelated quotes
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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 McClaveReport problemRelated quotes
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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. BastasaReport problemRelated quotes
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The priest is Christ's slave, and Christ himself took the form of a slave and became obedient to death. So the priest in serving human needs lives a Godward life, possessed by God and witnessing that only when lives are utterly possessed by God do they find their true freedom.

quote by Arthur MiddletonReport problemRelated quotes
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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 RossReport problemRelated quotes
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Mask

You're wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
You look better that way
You're wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
You look better that way
Are you my friend ?
Are you my plumber ?
Are you my God ?
What do you do ?
Wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
Which mask are you ?
Which mask are you ?
Complicated crushed up disappointed squirming angry thrusting stabbing regretting starving greedy human alien being, struggling down the street, up the alley, in the elevator, through the party, to the office, in the bedroom, on your way to the morgue. Bullshitting, lying, doing a good deed or feeling loved barely possible. Aware of insatiable demands of not a society all around you. Chunky frat boys in their shorts, pimps with old semite eyes, sex hoochies of the jungle, sensitive smart alec college graduates, critics fronting franticly in New York city, every body in L.A just plain licking ass or having it licked, irony in place of balls, balls in place of brains, brains in place of soul, where is the soul?, where is the love?, where am i?
Which mask are you ?
Which mask are you ?
Which mask are you ?
You're wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
You're wearing a mask
which mask are you ?

song performed by by Iggy PopReport problemRelated quotes
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Vacant Space

this is the vacant space
of my room, you may come

this is the vacant hour
you may barge and talk simply talk

this is the vacant lot of my being
you may build your home

this is vacant
fill it with space, drag your hours here,
start watering the roses in your garden
beside your house

this is a vacant hole in my ear
talk simply talk

i am always listening
this is my vacant line, please fill in the missing
word

poem by Ric S. BastasaReport problemRelated quotes
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You're Like a Child

You're an idiot, that's for sure
You'll never learn
You're a dumbass
That won't ever change
And through you have a grown man's body
Through you claim to be so very macho

You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
And crybaby all I want for you to know is
You're like a child
You don't know what a job is
You don't wanna ever leave your mama's home
All I want for you to know is

Your constant clinging to my purse strings brings me to tears
Even after all these years
And it pains me to have to put up with you
I know you too damn well
And through you look like a grown man
Through you claim to be so very macho

You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
And crybaby all I want you to know is
You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
All I want for you to know is

It's not that I wanna say goodbye
It's just time that you try to grow up
Stand on your own
Each and every single day you know
You're going to have to eventually move away
And through you look like a grown man
And through you claim to be ever so very macho
I know deep down
You're just scared
That through life you won't make it on your own

You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
And crybaby all I want you to know is
You don't what a job is
You don't ever leave your mama's home
All I want you to know is

You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
And crybaby all I want you to know is
You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
All I want you to know is

You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
And crybaby all I want you to know is
You're like a child
You sit and waste away
You don't know what a job is
You don't ever wanna leave your mama's home
All I want for you to know is


(You're Like A Child-Parody of Nelly F's I'm Like A Bird/2007)

poem by Ramona ThompsonReport problemRelated quotes
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He's Back

You're with your baby
And you're parked alone
On a summer night
You're deep in love
But you're deeper in the woods
You think you're doin' alright
You heard a voice
Did you see that face
Or was it just a dream
It can't be real
That only happens, babe
On the movie screen
If you see him comin'
Get away if you can
He's a dangerous man
Throws a dangerous party man
He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control
He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll
He's going out tonight
Going to make his rounds to get his fill
Standing staight and tall
He's a ton of fun
And he's dressed to kill
You know you read he was gone
It surely is him
But he's back on the prowl
Again and again and again
Don't you know
He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control
He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll
You know you read he was gone
It surely is him
But he's back on the prowl
Again and again and again
He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control
He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll
He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control
He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll
He's back
The man behind the mask
And he's out of control
He's back
The man behind the mask
He crawled out of his hole
Just to rock and roll
He's back

song performed by by Alice CooperReport problemRelated quotes
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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 RzhepishevskaReport problemRelated quotes
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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 FrancisReport problemRelated quotes
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Katherine Mansfield

It's a terrible thing to be alone - yes it is - it is - but don't lower your mask until you have another mask prepared beneath - as terrible as you like - but a mask.

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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 GuinenReport problemRelated quotes
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Sweet Mask

Hi dear, Hello dear
I remember father telling us,
Of girls, who hid behind curtains
Of girls who lit fires
On faces of, to be, bridegrooms
Of maids who wore masks.
And to reveal, were suitors.

The mask, I have seen
This mask, that ye have won
I wish I would peel
I know, beneath lies, no stern
Beneath, a longing, honeyed
Heart, lies in heaven
Ecstasy, a waits, a clock ticks
Sweet mask, ye will, peel!

poem by Charles Jagongo OgolaReport problemRelated quotes
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Mama's cry

child, please dont cry when we fail 2 try.
Child, smile with me even when a mile we walk through troubles.
Child, brace me with your love and forever you live by his grace.
Child, i know not of tomorrow but walk with me.

Walk me with and lets make this talk a reality,
a vision seen by the mind and a mission won win the heart.
Your tears, your fears when we crawl-
despair not and walk with me.

Mama! The call of every son and daughter of man.
Every dawn and dusk,
a picture of uncertainity draws on the child's faces.
In my own motherland, their stomach shed hopeless tears of hunger.
They crave for what many put to waste as their tongues fail to taste and they retire to their graves.
Child, just walk with me.

poem by Anthony OpondoReport problemRelated quotes
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Look Into My Eyes, Please

It is me you see again
I, from behind the mask am free
Look into my eyes, then tell me
Have I changed or am I the same?
This strange, sad pair belonging to
Too many faces, but one only
Remains within each shattered frame
Longing, longing not to be afraid...

That I might be becoming
The dream I have been dreaming
But you, you gave me the mask
The mask! Oh, I thought you knew
Because of this I withdrew from you
This disguise of mine it grew until
I cared too little to see revealed
The true identity I had concealed...

For the soul does not depend
On appearances only, but then
I was confused and very frightened
Of what reflected through this countenance
As God's expression is seen through nature
So is being the meaning of gesture
And I entrusted to this language
An explanation without words to the dance...

There must be other value
Than that which first greets the eye
With pleasure for its given form
demanding that share of attention due
And trading for a brief piece of mind
The mask I have worm, grieved and scorned
Like a spell, hence the stain is removed
When cleansed by your loving anodyne
I am from this enchantment form...

poem by Romeo Della ValleReport problemRelated quotes
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What Is It To Waste A Night?

WHAT IS IT TO WASTE A NIGHT?

What is it to waste a night
When I have wasted years?
Why worry now so close to the end
Hasn’t it all been a waste?
Won’t it all be a waste one day
No matter how I play the game
Of seeking to make my name eternal?
But this is this night and no other
And I writing this now
Am redeeming it from ‘waste’
And fooling myself for one more day
‘It has not been a waste nothing is a waste
when I can write a real poem now.’


I

poem by Shalom FreedmanReport problemRelated quotes
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Yesterday's Child

Yesterday's child
I remember so well.
So young, full of hope
of good things they tell.
Yesterday's child
future of life.
Free from the pain
of discord and strife.
Yesterday's child
innocent gift
running free and wild,
mind adrift.
Yesterday's child
soft and pure.
If I wonder away
you're loves' great lure.
Yesterday's child
an adult today
neither soft nor pure
but gone a stray.
What has possessed our hearts so cruel?
Once a perfect child
is now a perfect fool.

poem by S.W. ClarkReport problemRelated quotes
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