Behind a naked mask

I am not good at hiding
or at covering up the truth,
though my mask is a smile
it veils my hurt and frowns
turns pleasant a screaming
silence.

I am not good at quitting,
though soul is weary of life
I ll hold you close and offer
comfort, in times of anger
and distress, knowing you
only wish to feel inside my
dress.

Society, is but a day-to-day
masquerade – where a pool
of people indulge in games
of feigning laughter and wit.

I would rather bare my soul
than offer lip service.
Yes, I’m not good at hiding.

 

Photo credits: Adolph de Meyer 1927

Posted for Poems in April @ Real Toads

& on Monday Writes @ My Blog – Verses

verses

28 thoughts on “Behind a naked mask

  1. I enjoyed your first-person interpretation of the image, Sanaa. I especially like the lines:
    ‘it veils my hurt and frowns
    turns pleasant a screaming
    silence’.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Kim πŸ˜€ so glad you enjoyed it ❀️

  2. Kerry says:

    I love the oxymoron of your title – naked mask. Your theme is very much on point in terms of modern lifestyles, I believe. I’m glad the image spoke to you.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Kerry πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

      (and thank you for the lovely prompt)

  3. Ellecee says:

    I enjoyed this very much. I especially like “Society, is but a day-to- day masquerade” sadly there is truth in that, and masquerading even feels necessary at times. I love the strength and conviction over all. πŸ™‚

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Ellecee πŸ˜€ so glad you enjoyed it ❀️

  4. How well you see through the masks! And no, you wouldn’t be any good at hiding – you’re a poet.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Awww gosh!❀️ Thank you so much, Rosemary πŸ˜€ so good to see you!❀️

  5. gillena says:

    Luv the reasoning for masking up, even though you want the truth to be told. Yes its paradoxical; all of life is, in reality.

    much love…

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Gillena πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

  6. I like what you did with the prompt.

    I am not good at hiding
    or at covering up the truth,
    though my mask is a smile
    it veils my hurt and frowns
    turns pleasant a screaming
    silence.

    You had me right away.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Annell πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  7. kanzensakura says:

    Love your title. You put society on notice and no, you would not do a good job of hiding. Truth will always come out.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by, Toni ❀️

  8. othermary says:

    Great title, great message. The use of repetition at the end really seals it.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Mary πŸ˜€ so good to see you ❀️

  9. I was most struck by the comfort and support offered to one who only wanted “to feel inside my dress”. That is often the way of it for women, so I resonated with the narrator’s dialogue. I’m not good at hiding either. Well done, Sanaa.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Sherry πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  10. Jim says:

    I like it, Sanaa, very much. Yes, much of our world hides behind a mask. Not all, though. I can tell a lie with a straight face, a poker face that I use most in board games and dominoes (I play Texas 42). But also that I don’t have to tell lies but just that I don’t have to be telling things just because they are true.
    ..

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Jim πŸ˜€ so good to see you ❀️

  11. Margaret says:

    So true that last line! The “feel inside my dress” really brings home the hurt that lurks out there. Nice job.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Margaret πŸ˜€ so glad you liked it ❀️

  12. kaykuala says:

    I would rather bare my soul
    than offer lip service.
    Yes, I’m not good at hiding.

    Good principle to be fair and open!

    Hank

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely πŸ˜€ thanks for stopping by, Hank ❀️

  13. “turns pleasant a screaming silence.” Exquisite! What a powerful write in such a handful of stanzas!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Frank πŸ˜€ so glad you enjoyed it ❀️

  14. gillena says:

    Have a good week Sanaa. Thank you for linking up at Monday WRites #154

    much love…

    1. Sanaa says:

      My Pleasure, Gillena ❀️

      Much🌼love

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