The Mask

We all have our Masks...

The Mask 

A Poem by Colton Warr

Tell me, if you could,

What can you hide behind your mask? 

What treacherous thoughts, what eroding emotion. 

I will answer, but only because you ask

I'll tell you, because I can 

A divided family, a questionable love

A decision made to leave a perfect girl 

An innocent mirage that I cannot get out of

I'll tell you, because I can 

New beginnings and abrupt endings 

A phantom haunting my heart and soul

My god, where am I heading? 

I'll tell you, because I can 

Am I the one doing the marooning, or am I being marooned? 

Pushing and pulling at my own pleasure 

Can't you taste my wound? 

I'll tell you, because I can 

I love my family, I hate my true love

Or perhaps did I confuse the two? 

Can't you tell, I am such the wholesome Dove? 

I'll tell you, because I can 

Have I gone too far, should I be caged alone?

I deserve to be by myself 

Forever destined to aimlessly roam  

I'll tell you, because I can 

What damnation awaits me, you politely ask

But perhaps it is you that should decide

Am I the one wearing a Mask? 

Reviews

[Michelle Coleman]

Hmmm

How many people do you think are capable of seeing the masks that others wear? How many think they are fooling everyone else into believing the mask they wear is their authentic self? How many fail to realize that the mask they wear is not themselves?

Oh, how I love the topic of masks. We all have them, many, in fact. Why? To hide how we feel? What we fear? What we dream? To avoid being judged by those who wear their own?

What would happen if we took them all off?

[Colton Warr]

Exactly Michelle! I believe everyone has their own masks, used to conceal what they believe society won't accept, and perhaps that is our fault as a society. And yes, I believe that one can wear a mask for such a long time that the mask starts to become the real you. A truly treacherous thing, this mask. It can consume us. I pray that a day comes where we can all muster the strength to rip these masks off and reveal ourselves, our true selves! I'm glad this one got you thinking! Thanks for reading!

[Michelle Coleman]

Masks have always been a favorite topic of mine. As is the Shadow. We can do our part by stripping away one mask at a time. Maybe we can retire these masterpieces to a personal 😊

[modtoddinc]

Very enjoyable read, and good poem. Thank you for sharing with us.

~peace, Todd

[Colton Warr]

Thank you very much, Todd! I'm glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks for reading!

[Carrie.]

The tension here is tangible, very emotional.
I'd take a second look at the meter, the balance is off.

[Colton Warr]

I will take a second look, thanks for the advice! Thanks for giving this one a read as well!

[Sierra D3]

I have always admire your work, and hoped to be able to put as much feelings in my work as you do in yours. This poem is amazing, and it really makes the reader think. I would have to say the ending was my favorite part. Thanks for the amazing read.

[Colton Warr]

Thank you so much, Sierra! Your words are too kind! Everything I write has something to do with what is going on in my life, so I guess that is why they usually have so much emotion and feeling in them. I'm glad you enjoyed this piece! Thanks for reading and all of the support!

[Kelsey Ann]

Wow! Fantastic job! Love it!

[Colton Warr]

Thank you so much, Kelsey! I'm glad you liked this one! Thanks for reading!

[Jeremy Hiles]

Great job! This illustrates how people but on a mask, or facade, to cover up the way they really are, their emotions, fears, and their differences. To fit in, blend in, or be in the "in" crowd. Great job using this poem to show these points and truths!

[Colton Warr]

Thank you, Jeremy! I am happy you enjoyed this one! I do believe we all have our masks, we feel like we need them in order to be accepted or even successful. Yet the truest form of freedom is to live without a mask. Thanks for reading!

[Jeremy Hiles]

My pleasure! Keep up the great work!

[Coyote Poetry]

Nice question at the end.
"I'll tell you, because I can
What damnation awaits me, you politely ask
But perhaps it is you that should decide
Am I the one wearing a Mask? "
Many kinds of mask. Hard to say who is real or fake? Thank you for the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Colton Warr]

Thank you very much, Coyote! I'm happy you liked this one! I agree, I believe we all have our own masks. And sometimes it can be hard to figure out when we are wearing them and when we aren't. Thanks for reading!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome. I enjoyed this poem.

[DoormanDan]

I've never been the biggest fan of long, free-verse poems, but I really like this one a lot. It was quite original, and the concept it's speaking of was so good that it kept me hooked from the first to last word. Quite well written, I have to say. Great job :)

[Colton Warr]

Thank you so much, my friend! I appreciate the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I think everyone can relate to this piece, we all have our masks. Thanks for reading!

[....................]

Sometimes it's difficult to see who is wearing the mask but I believe we all wear them at different times for different reasons. I nice, thought-provoking piece.

[Colton Warr]

Thank you very much! I agree, I believe we all have our masks, and it can be so refreshing to finally rip off that mask and reveal some things. Im glad you enjoyed this, thanks for reading!

[Jeyanthi]

Only one thought crossed my mind after reading.

It is the one of the best poem I ever read in my life.

[Colton Warr]

Well thank you very much! I appreciate that, you are too kind! I am very happy that you enjoyed this one! Thanks for reading!

[Jeyanthi]

Welcome :)