I wake up tired.
And after checking my watch,
I know I got almost nine hours of sleep.
But weariness weighs down my limbs
Like a heavy burden of dark cloth.
I lie there, staring up at the grey sky
Through the skylight.
Only obligation makes me rise.
_
So much to do.
So many pieces of myself
To hand over.
Here, this is your piece
I say.
And here is yours.
Chunks of me given
To feed pleasantries
And buoyancy.
Because no-one wants
To hear you when
You're angry, or upset.
-
And so the smile
And the 'positivity' (big grins, now!)
Are worn like a plastic mask.
How are you? I say
But when I'm asked the same
I have to say
Oh, fine. All good.
Because you know they don't want the truth
And if you share it,
They get that uncomfortable look
Because you took off
The plastic mask
Just for a moment,
Just to breathe,
Just to unburden your heavy
Heart. of the weight.
-
But you see the fear in their eyes
And so you quickly put
Back the mask
Adjust the straps
And carry on
Until you get home
And just sit there in silence
As the mask stares back
From her shelf
Waiting to be put back on
When you next open the door.
*********************
Thank you for reading. If this resonates with you, I'm sorry. It's hard, isn't it? Maybe one day, masks will be unnecessary, but until then, make sure you have somewhere safe to take them off.
About the Creator
Deborah Robinson
I'm new to the 'writing for real' scene. Previously, I've kept my poetry and writing under wraps in a fancy notebook, but now I've decided to give it a proper go!
I hope you enjoy my work.
Thanks, Deborah.
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Comments (1)
Omg, this resonated with me on so many levels, especially the part where they give an uncomfortable look just because we've taken off our happy mask. Like you said, I hope that one day, we don't have to hide our true feelings behind these masks. Loved your poem!