Like a turtle under a carapace
I feel secure in this mask.
It is now my shield and armour.
It sticks close to my face.
It has become my identity.
And I live a life apart from life!
Among the masqueraded faces
I feel I do rightly belong
With the mask on, I can smile,
when I want to frown
It makes me seem at the mount of joy
when I lie at the nadir of gloom
It makes me appear composed
when there is a scalding cauldron inside,
camouflaging my wails into songs
I need a mask to appear normal,
to keep my insanity hidden
But how long can I wear this mask?
It suffocates me and I labor to breathe free
I want to take it off.....!
I want to feel the inner me.
But as it sticks so close to my skin
I have to peel it off and I may bleed
Still.... I long to get rid of it
But if I peel it off, will it suffocate you?
Flowing with the flow of the poetry it painted the element of hide and seek we play trying to be who we sre not. I was thinking of face over face as mask. But yes this mask too is true. Beautiful ma'am.
Its interesting, I was not thinking of Covid-19 when reading this, but the human condition inwhich we must bury our inherit feelings and submerge them for social acceptance. Although I see the covid aspects, in both cases Intel are to this. Stunning poem Valsa.
A profound and thought provoking poem. Perceptive lines that draw the effects of wearing a mask. The metaphor of wearing masks connotes that we have to protect our vulnerable inner true selves.
Our desire to fit in with a group or society as a whole drives us to wear masks that will enable us to conform with the norms and standards set forth. Masks lie yet we need in life for protection and acceptance. However, in my own humble opinion, there is no substitute in showing to the whole world our true colors. We shall not yield to anyone just to conform if we are not happy.
Very good poetic discussion of the mask and how it affects the life of the wearer
Mask is better to be used. It can protect us from different virus to enter our body through mouth and nose. The inscription of mask made by you is so fantastic. The Last Stanza is amazing. Five stars.
I like these lines very much 'With the mask on, I can smile, When I want to frown It makes me seem at the mount of joy When I lie at the nadir of gloom It makes me appear composed When there is a scalding cauldron inside It camouflages my wails into songs I need a mask to appear normal To keep my insanity hidden'...a poem with a very natural expression ....many many stars
Congratulations on getting selected for the poem of the day, Valsa! A very nice poem, presented in a timely manner considering today's circumstances!
'It is now my shield and armour' - It's only a piece of cloth, but yes, indeed it's now a shield of armour. 'With the mask on, I can smile, When I want to frown' - loved the idea! The question at the end is intriguing. Heartiest congratulations to one of my favorite poets on her poem's selection as the 'Member Poem of the Day'!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Great closing lines! ! ! - - -> But if I peel it off, will it suffocate you? If only everybody would wear them, we would have the virus beat in two months at the least. Sigh.