Burning Masks

This time, I want to hear everyone else's interpretations! Thanks for reading!

Follow my translucent tones:
No optimists facade for fallen grace,
In a place bound by thieves of dexterity
And shattered torches.

Caged wolves withhold their howl as steel becomes acquainted.

Sedated by a poisoned bite -
Parched warnings on withered apples
Desecrated
And decimating,
Unbind the weeds of your mind.
Far greater than roses,
Their crimson carcasses -
Untelling from concrete fields -
Clear no hidden horrors.

No sunsets appear on December skies
In the eyes of silenced friends.

Catching stars is a struggle to hollow hands
And yearning for so many to hold under falling Heavens
Becomes crystal compulsion;
Our perfect portal
To a wonderland without the razor touch of raptures crooks.

The water of words we swim in roars
Before it can be paused once more
By burning masks it floods
And falls into broken gardens at night
With the light of tomorrow's smile

Reviews

[Kyle Sky]

The presentation of words and beauty in verse is very exquisite in this one. It portrays a rather dark atmosphere at first, but then subtly reveals a hope in the end.
"Caged wolves withhold their howl as steel becomes acquainted....No sunsets appear on December skies....In the eyes of silenced friends."
The first half of the poem seems to imply a constriction in ones individuality towards the people around. But upon reaching the last stanza, it presented a freedom for individualism by these "burning masks". I'm guessing it symbolizes open-minded and wholesome people willing to listen and share.

This is truly exquisite. Its atmosphere, imagery and symbolism wields a certain level of grace that balances with its amazing flow in verse. Such an Amazing piece.

[Ohhhwillow]

You've hit the nail on the head with this one, thank you for you detailed review Kyle, always enjoy hearing your opinion. :)

[Irenic]

what I understood from your so deep poem is thaat this world is not good. everyone has multiple faces. they play with others' feelings. they jumbled up others' mind and heart. they kill others' soul. and this can be stopped if they pull off their masks and be the one they are.

your poem is very beautiful. it is very beautifully written. Thanks for sharing.

[Luke Rawlings]

I read and got the idea that it is against religion. The theives you speak of I believe are mentioned again as "raptures crooks". Caged wolves obviously die by force but the poem seems to refer to indoctrination, under the lines "poisoned bite", "parched warnings on withered apples" (original sin) and the "crystal compulsion/our perfect portal/to a wonderland".

[Ohhhwillow]

Thank you for your detailed review. In fact, I wrote this based on the idea of being who we are and surrounding ourselves in other people with bright minds

[Trace]

You have a very unique method of writing that I find quite enjoyable. greatly enjoyed this piece. Trace

[Ohhhwillow]

Thanks for reading Trace!

[pasdepoisson]

I'm a bit baffled, honestly. Really some striking imagery here, though for some reason it keeps making me thinkof the US government shutdown and the hijacking of the budget over universal healthcare.

[Ohhhwillow]

Baffled is good, I'm glad this touched you! Any thinking I can spur in others is a blessing in my eyes, thank you for reviewing!

[Talal Hussain]

Wow..what a wonderful composition..made my day :-)

[Ohhhwillow]

Thank you Talal :)

[Tai Ryens]

Seems like the poem itself revolves around the topic of being trapped: dexterity being stolen by thieves despite it being a virtue and something untouchable; a cage holding the ill beast starving to death at the master's hand, if not of hunger, then of wits. Being forced into defense as the army of words floods the battlefield and you shedding most of your defenses so you could stay afloat.
May I also mention the appearance of multiple predicaments throughout the poem? Trapped behind a mask; trapped in the position of defense against an onslaught of linguistics; forced to be abide to your owner's whim, despite wanting no part of them; silence; and my personal favorite of the poem: trapped in today because tomorrow promises to be better.

[Ohhhwillow]

This is a good take on what I have written. Although the theme is not entrapment, it certainly features my need to be free - and certainly the importance I feel of free thought. Surrounding ourselves with free thinking individuals is key to thought and progress in my eyes. It is enlightenment and love - I love this review, Tai you give me insights into my own mind, of subconscious meanings, that certainly make sense. Thank you so much for this depthful review friend, always good to hear from you!

[Tai Ryens]

Always a pleasure to provide insight to other writers, 'tis a pleasure to have read your literary piece, Willow. Lovely poem indeed.

[Chris]

You asked of Meanings and perceptions... clever is never given as a compliment.

Victims learn silence from captivity and a burning anger thereafter held within that grows until it finally has a life all its own and lashes out regrettably at other innocents more often than not, perpetuating the cycle.

The Word is seldom practiced though always preached and yet there is a need for more than oneself. Kindness isn't weakness but being mean is more the norm when ya hurt.

The future is usually others' stars and others' words. And a lot of not always successful fitting in.

[Ohhhwillow]

Your review was lovely, you said nothing about whether you enjoyed this or not, but I'm happy to hear it got your mind ticking, that's all a writer needs to hear!

[Chris]

I didn't read it to enjoy... I read it - over and over to listen and understand the thoughts and perceptions.

[Ohhhwillow]

So you don't get enjoyment out of listening and understanding thoughts and perceptions?

[Chris]

Listening to pain...hurts, but that allows understanding and the possibilities of relief... resolution, change, and maybe personal growth and development ...not enjoyment at another's cost - least for me.

Poetry is personal and highly emotionally charged. It communicates our innermost thoughts, perceptions, and feelings. Some tell stories, other works are of conscience, love, heat, dreams and wishes. Some are of loss, ways of dealing with things many really can't. I listen because I want to ...not have to.

[B-poet]

A very intriguing write. The allure for what's underneath a burning masks mystique is truly what this facinating poem is all about. Great work Willow. A profoundly unique read. :)

[Ohhhwillow]

Thank you very much for your kind review! I'm quite terrible at choosing poem names, so I am really glad this worked for you!

[Baby Ricochet]

I'm a big dumb jarhead so I don't know what it means

[Ohhhwillow]

Read below what I wrote to Frieda :)