My first sentence is going to sound really harsh, but please read a little after it, and I promise it gets better. Here goes.
The poem would be good if it wasn't about a mask.
I'm sorry, but the mask is a promising canditate for the Most Overused Metaphor in Poetry History award. All the bits of your poem that don't contain the word "mask?" Yeah, they're amazing. The line "a shield from a mind that's been scarred" is brilliant. But when people initially see your poem, they have an "Oh, it's just another poem about a mask" reaction, which does not at all do your poem justice. There are many other things that can hide a face. A veil. A scarf. Maybe a particular kind of mask? You could google masks and see what you come up with. There are tons of things you could do to give your otherwise captivating and deep poem the originality it deserves. I'm reallyreallyreally sorry if I sounded to harsh, by the way.
We'll all had to wear a mask at some point in our lives... we cannot always be who we really are and most people isn't who they say they are...
I liked the whole piece... I can see that people here has said their opinion about the mask metaphor and I am not exception... Yeah, it is true, it's kind of overused now... but I believe that it should be a writer's challenge, to take a chiclé and build something different, special and new out of it. And I believe that you, my friend, have achieved that goal, which for me, as I already expressed, is something that every writer is forced to do to keep improving its writing skills...
Nice work!
Masks have been used in many ways but this is interesting as it makes a statement, a worthy one too!
Having a real face is important but understandably life gets in the way and some have to wear that mask daily! In the end, it cracks away, like everything shall!
Great poem, honest and powerful
xx
I read the review about the mask being an overused metaphor, which is true. But what I loved about this was that despite that...you used it without it sounding or feeling very cliche at all. Above all, it was honest, like all poetry should be. I love the line about the mask being 'a shield FROM a mind that's been scarred.' It is a shield not 'for' it. But 'from' it. Bravo.
I love the poem! I have felt like that many times in my life, like people won't like the real me so I hide parts of myself. You showed this beautifully! Great poem!!!
This reminds me strongly of me. I try so hard to be nice to others, to not give them any sort of strong emotion in fear that they can turn on me.
'A Mask' greatly describes what I feel and how I am.
Beautiful poem.
Pros: Well written with a good, lilting flow. It flows easy, and keeps the reader wanting to finish it. It never dulls and gets boring. And this representation of this mask some of us wear is quite spot on and very accurate. I, for one, know I wear a mask. Sure, I let some see through it on rare occasions, but I let them know they won't like what they see. In the end, I keep the mask up.
Cons: None, really.
Overall: A good portrayal of this mask we all wear at some time or another.
Posted 13 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
amazing, you catured the facade that all of us wears. i definitely enjoyed it though i agree with the other comment. making it about a mere mask doesnt do your peom the justice it deserves.
This poem describes the mask most of us wear very nicely. You are a great poet. The insight of this poem is terrific. Another great poem describing you. It was lovley
My first sentence is going to sound really harsh, but please read a little after it, and I promise it gets better. Here goes.
The poem would be good if it wasn't about a mask.
I'm sorry, but the mask is a promising canditate for the Most Overused Metaphor in Poetry History award. All the bits of your poem that don't contain the word "mask?" Yeah, they're amazing. The line "a shield from a mind that's been scarred" is brilliant. But when people initially see your poem, they have an "Oh, it's just another poem about a mask" reaction, which does not at all do your poem justice. There are many other things that can hide a face. A veil. A scarf. Maybe a particular kind of mask? You could google masks and see what you come up with. There are tons of things you could do to give your otherwise captivating and deep poem the originality it deserves. I'm reallyreallyreally sorry if I sounded to harsh, by the way.
I Am Ashley Black (an alter ego ) I have a dark mind when it comes to my poetry as the strongest emotions come from negative
RETURNING- I have been distant from this site for a while but I am fina.. more..