masquerade

why does this world
comes across as a masquerade?

is everything we really see,
one and the same?
on the outside,
and, on the inside?

peel those layers of mascara
that you wear on your eyes,
undress to bare-bones,
and hang your mask on the side.

can't anymore fog my glasses
to turn heartfully half-blind
and be a two-eyed naive
with two-hands tied.

stay low and guard yourself;
the truth could be a half-lie,
two plus two a concealed five,
this is a wild-wide world,
it's either believe or make-believe.

pretenses that dance around
will fall through the facade
once the fragrance of trust
wears off.  

- AH, 02/11/2025

Reviews

[Beren]

I am in amazement that every part of this poem is so meaningful. I can think for at least half an hour for each sentence. I feel the sadness that this fraud of the world can make you write something so powerful and sincere, what could you have experienced to write so well?

I loved it my friend. Now I will explain my feelings one by one.

"why does this world
(...)
and, on the inside?"

I thought you were going to talk about something like Matrix in the first part, like a simulation theory. Is this place real, are we real, are they real?

"peel those layers of mascara
(...)
with two-hands tied."

This part is a perfect piece that tells that people are not really what they seem. In every sense. Everyone created an identity in the outside world, real masks (dirty masks). I am devastated
Especially the phrase "*heartfully half-blind*" here is very clever. It really affected me. People put masks not only on their faces but also on their hearts.

"stay low and guard yourself;
(...)
it's either believe or make-believe."

a very powerful part, really deep, especially two plus two and the last stanza. I believe I felt and took everything you wanted to say to my heart, but I'm not advanced enough in English to be able to tell you. I will say that this part left me speechless.

the last part gave me hope, after all, they can deceive to some extent, can't they, I think death will drop all masks and everyone will fall to the ground. what makes me think here is this: if we fall on the same front, we may not see their masks fall.

I loved your poem, I applaud it. I want to hang it on billboards. I LOVED IT WITH ALL MY SINCERITY.
in favs.

[A.H.]

Dear Beren, this is such a lovely review my sweet friend, you're very kind in your words. I'm so glad to hear that you connected to this write. Those perspectives you shared on each part of the poem, you have a deep analytical mind, and a very compassionate heart. please be that way and never change for anything.

Btw, I love the movie, Matrix - the concept of the movie is out of the world, and yeah this write wasn't about that theory.

On your observation "People put masks not only on their faces but also on their hearts.", this is a hard fact, world works that way and it's a rude shock once you come to this realization. I totally understand what you say here.

And, you're right you can only be deceived to some extent because ultimately true nature comes to the fore. but the damage is done already. We all will fade away one day, vanish into into thin air but our legacy will stay, so sometimes I think why this mask, why the duplicity, just be the way you are, genuine and brighten this world spreading love, compassion and fellowship. But yes, isn't that an ideal thought? anyway, nothing is ideal in world, I think. And, as you say - "if we fall on the same front, we may not see their masks fall.", yes that's so true too. brilliant perspectives here. Appreciate it!

A Big THANK YOU, Beren for this wonderful and very thoughtful review. I loved this review - every bit of it. I'm grateful.
- A.H

[Beren]

I was going to visit this poem again because the two plus two equals five part reminded me of a song lyric in my head but I couldn't find the song or I would have added it to the review. It was this;

"Two plus two equals five
And I'm the love of your life
'Cause if rain don't pour and sun don't shine
Then changing you is possible" (logical-olivia rodrigo)

As in this lyric, 2+2=5 and I am the love of your life...
I think it is a simple but very beautiful and deep lyric that tells that both are lies and I wanted to share it. this reminded me your poem somehow.

As for your comment
I HAD REVIEWED ON YOUR POEM SO SINCERELY THAT WHEN I SAW YOUR comment, I FELT AS IF YOU HAD REVIEWED ON MY POEM. I am glad you are really happy, of course the stage is not mine here ALL THE SPOTLIGHTS SHOULD BE ON YOU. I'm glad you liked it though because you deserve it.
I still admire your poetry and read it over and over again.

hope you had a great day as much as your poem, but hope you won't experience that false masks again.

[A.H.]

Haven't heard this song before - (logical-olivia rodrigo). just looked up now and listened to it. Lyrics are beautiful and song is soulful. "No, love is never logical." that's a great take.

yes, 2+2 could be 5,who knows? just in simple things, even the most obvious reality could be different than what you believed.

Thank you again so much! I’m honestly not sure how to take such kind words, but I truly appreciate it. I’m humbled by your words and this really means a lot and I'm so grateful for your encouragement. I also enjoy reading your poetry. Keep writing and sharing. Have a great day, Beren.

[Thomas W Case]

Tremendous work. Powerful and poignant.

[A.H.]

Thank you Thomas for reading and sharing your thoughts on this write.

[Lorry]

I do think the fault lies behind the facades people wear like a mask, as they slowly start to believe it and then the trusted become the victims of their deceit.
Being honest is now seen as a weakness, but it shouldn't make the real you change because others can't see it through their own cynical eyes.
If we don't have trust, then what are we left with? Just a bunch of pretenders pretending that they care!
Life does indeed feel like a masquerade sometimes.
Nicely penned.

[A.H.]

Thank you Lorry for reading. I really appreciate you sharing those thoughts on this write.

[MCS]

We all wear masks. Metaphorically speaking, perhaps it's because we are alone, awash in a sea of humanity, and we are not keeping up meaningful connections with each other.

I read this yesterday and your words stayed with me. I found myself in the studio last night and this morning because your words fueled a selection of colours that I’ve spread across a canvas, because I’m still processing how we got to this point and your verse has demanded attention. Thank you.

[A.H.]

Thank you for sharing those perspectives. I'm glad to hear this write made an impression and that's so cool to hear you paint. I hope it came out well and satisfying. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Isn’t that quite the slice of revelation! Loved the symbolism of mascara and that image projection. Quite deep in parallel to a surface level (non-issue) reality 🙏🏻🕊️

[A.H.]

Thank you for those thoughts, Fred. I really appreciate it.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Most welcome 🙏🏻🕊
Freds.

[ETERNITY]

Hello A.H. This hit me hard even though I've deleted my account due to such fakery here and everywhere, I, also have used many masks. Life gets boring. We do stuff.
My main reason for signing back in... You look amazing.
(yeah, I know but your chosen profile is awesome. have a great day. Now, back to the shadows ;-)

[A.H.]

I'm sad to hear that you deleted the account, hope you're doing okay. whenever you find a chance, pls come back to write and share more.
yeah, masks are everywhere. life's that, but may be even if we wore a mask, still there's always something real beneath just waiting to find an expression - looking at it on the brighter side.
that's really kind of you to say, about my profile. btw, that profile picture (an old one, back in my early 20's) is me lost in thoughts, hoping to find myself along the way. haha!

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, and I’m glad this piece resonated with you. take care! - A.H.

[ETERNITY]

Like the wayward beggar searching for scraps, I return to the tables of my delight. Just reading this sets my heart pounding with lust for the adventure of masquerade even with the dangers which also turn me on.. we take the scraps keeping us alive, A.H. I love this poem.

[A.H.]

you have a way with words. thank you for stopping by and sharing, GlendaK. I appreciate it.

[Dylan Macadham]

"Perception is reality." -Lee Atwater
"illusion is Reality." -Ernest Becker
"I think we all visually see the same thing, just different parts of it." -Me😎haha

[A.H.]

Thank you Dylan for reading and sharing your perspectives.

[Lydia Shutter]

"The fragrance of trust"....great phrase. Without trust, there is no fragrance. Many people wear a mask and the real person is hidden neath a mask of makeup or smiles. Reminds me of a song from long ago, "smiling faces, sometimes they don't tell the truth." You have expressed honest emotions in every line of this poem, A.H.. Much enjoyed. Lydi**

[A.H.]

Thank you Lydia for this review. I appreciate your thoughts and perspectives on this write. Have a wonderful day!

[Stella Armour]

Amazing A.H. i am finding hard to review this write for yes, nothing is often as it seems we perceive something and know it for years and then it unfolds itself as something else..best to not entirely believe your own eyes. Wear a mask for your own protection then no-one knows who you really are .

[A.H.]

that you're right too, in a way. wear a mask for your protection, (guard yourself) but that leads to duality and hence the question. I think it's hard to draw the line. Thanks for this wonderful review, Stella. Appreciate it very!

[red93]

This is great Writing A.H. - complex and resonant. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[A.H.]

Thank you much red ! I'm glad to hear your thoughts on this write. I appreciate you stopping by to read and leaving this review.

[Everett Dulin]

Very well written, very deliberate, and a very poignant observation. Sometimes those masks are the only thing keeping us sane.

[A.H.]

Those are wonderful perspectives. Agree, sometimes those masks may keep us sane when you can't ascertain what's for real and what's not. Thank you Everett for this review. I really appreciate the your thoughts here.