I took off my mask
and rent my clothes.
No longer called
to dance amongst
the masquerade.
I bared my real face,
and my body
to the afternoon sun.
So few reveal themselves these days,
convinced of who they truly are
by voices coming out of the walls.
Echoes in their heads,
speaking words
that don’t mean anything at all.
I stood naked
for the first time
in a long while,
feeling the sun and wind
and all their eyes upon me.
Judging me,
shunning me,
for my mask
made me one of them.
My choice to try
was proved a lie.
I was left wanting,
bereft of calling,
falling into traps
they set along the line.
The cult is never satisfied.
How could I be more holy?
How could I be more pure,
than standing there
naked
before them?
Strange how they’re the ones
who seemed unsure.
They shifted in their clothes,
and giggled behind their masks,
but the look in their eyes
only served to satisfy
my absolution.
I opened my arms wide
and embraced the sun,
free of the name
that they gave to me.
I am whole,
and I am free.
Alone before the world.
I didn’t need them
to prove to me
that I am alive,
and loved and free,
but they needed me
to prove to themselves
their validity.
Let the sun
shine on my skin,
and let the wind carry me away.
Taking steps out on my own.
Finding my way
all alone,
and true,
and naked.
HG – 2020
Nicely written my friend. These times make us long for the true faces of those around us. It is hard when we can’t tell if someone is smiling or frowning. Naked in the sun, sounds nice. Have a blessed weekend my friend. 💖🤗💕love Joni
Thank you. As always. I appreciate your thoughts. Take care.
You too. 💕❤️😘
We need to show real face and if we are lucky. Have friends who trust us enough to show their real face to us. I did like this poem my friend.
Thank you. The mask is more than just a metaphor these days, and judgement and conformity play such a prominent part in our current social discourse. I’m glad this piece has resonated with others.
The poem did and you are welcome my friend.