Painted Masks

The world is but a pantomime

All the world’s a stage

And we are all actors

As if this was a simulation

Instead of the real thing…

So we sarch out scripts

And read from teleprompters

Take our cues -

Masked and costumed -

For our fifteen-minute cameo.

 

Actors prance in painted masks

Play their part, and say their lines

Their true selves suppressed; their souls trapped

And mute as pantomimes

I wonder if anyone’s ever peeked

Beneath this painted mask of mine?

 

Beneath all that makeup

Beneath the painted smiles

Is someone more beautiful, more interesting

Than any playwright’s imagination;

Beneath the hideous powder

Beneath the glitter; deeper even than the foundation

Is someone more nice & lovely

Than any amount of cosmetics…

Beneath the plasitc smiles and plastic lines

Is a soul more profound

Than any poet’s wildest dream…

 

But we’re afraid - afraid of being ourselves

Afraid that we’re boring - the real us -

So we put on an act

Put on a mask

Recite our lines

Try and put on a show for our audience…

 

But if we look out from the stage

Upon the empty rows of seats -

Row upon row -

We realise that there is no audience…

Just other actors.

 

Our lives are bland and colourless

Behind our painted smiles we’re hurting

Then, on our clever lines and fancy dress

Rolls the darkness of the curtain…

If our ‘happiness’ is but a lie

Who are we entertaining, may I ask?

It’s time to forget the well rehearsed lines

And put away the painted masks…

Reviews

[M.Babu]

"Beneath the hideous powder
Beneath the glitter; deeper even than the foundation
Is someone more nice & lovely
Than any amount of cosmetics…"

Haha the nice and lovely line was hot man.

As always this piece does what few other poets ever achieve...it delivered in every single aspect of entertainment. The imagery was deadly profound and the flow and direction of the piece was astounding as it was one that few could expect. You found a VERY UNIQUE way of telling us BE YOURSELF...forget the pack...

The wisdom in this was also Mathematically accurate.
"But if we look out from the stage
Upon the empty rows of seats -
Row upon row -
We realise that there is no audience…
Just other actors."

I guess it's a human need to WANT to fit in. The makeup, masks and costumes hide the flaws we're so sub conscious of and with that we're more open to expose our new and improved selves. We're proud of being part of the gang.

You captured this splendidly well bro....
Wise beyond your years :D
This is definitely a favorite:)
Magnificent stuff!

~M.Babu~

[Arielle Ann]

This is so damn right..we are all living another's life,wearing the mask of pragmatism...We realise that there is no audience…Just other actors....these lines held my breath...loved it!

[angelina]

it's a very nice poem and a very good theme. it reminds me of Paul Laurence Dunbar's "we wear the mask." you should read it too!! well anyway, if not for our masks then what will we live for and look forward to. if not for the lies then what role will we play if everyone is taking on the same role. i'd rather an eventful life then my lies revealed, not saying i don't have my solemn moments or anything, but those are personal.

[SINDE]

Our lives are bland and colourless
Behind our painted smiles we’re hurting
Then, on our clever lines and fancy dress
Rolss the darkness of the curtain…
If our ‘happiness’ is but a lie
Who are we entertaining, may I ask?
Nice conclusion man!

Actors prance in painted masks
Play their part, and say their lines
Their true selves suppressed; their souls trapped
And mute as pantomimes
I wonder if anyone’s ever peeked
Beneath this painted mask of mine?
It’s time to forget the well rehearsed lines
And put away the painted masks…

AWESOME down to every word!

[Hibah Shabkhez]

Bare skin is apt to be scalded by the first glare of truth ...