The Mask Poem by Steve Woodward

I can feel the weight behind my eyes,
That kills the smiles and though it tries -
To strike me down so numb with sense of folly,
The world shall see the mask.

The mask I wear is weathered and worn,
Of battle scars and hearts which torn -
Will bleed out hope, romantic dreams,
The world will see the act.

The act I live is not my life,
I play it out through trouble and strife -
Though critics curse, lie and slander,
The world shall face the wrath.

The wrath I wield is indisposed,
I aim it not at venemous foes -
But suffer in silence, beat and grieve,
The world will see a lie.

The lie I tell is the truth to me,
Denied the man I aught to be -
Trapped by flesh and hollow bones,
The world will see me fall.

The fall I face is not so grand,
They built me up so I could stand -
To face a jury and plead to them there,
The world. These words. This life.