Masks
Spiritual Story by Unknown
Don't be fooled by the face I wear, for I wear a thousand masks, And none of them are me. Don't be fooled, for goodness sake, don't be fooled.
I give you the impression that I'm secure, that confidence is my name and coolness is my game, And that I need no one. But don't believe me. Beneath dwells the real me in confusion, in aloneness, in fear. That's why I create a mask to hide behind, to shield me from the glance that knows.
But such a glance is precisely my salvation. That is, if it's followed by acceptance, if it's followed by love. It's the only thing that can liberate me from my own self-built prison walls. I'm afraid that deep down I'm nothing and that I'm just no good, And that you will reject me.
And so begins the parade of masks. I idly chatter to you. I tell you everything that's really nothing and nothing of what's everything, of what's crying within me. Please listen carefully and try to hear what I'm not saying. I'd really like to be genuine and spontaneous, and me. But you've got to help me. You've got to hold out your hand.
Each time you're kind and gentle, and encouraging, Each time you try to understand because you really care, my heart begins to grow wings, feeble wings, but wings. With your sensitivity and sympathy, and your power of understanding, you alone can release me from my shallow world of uncertainty.
It will not be easy for you. The nearer you approach me, the blinder I may strike back. But I'm told that Love is stronger than strong walls, And in this lies my only hope. Please try to beat down these walls with firm hands, but gentle hands, for a child is very sensitive.
Who am I, you wonder...
I am every man you meet. I am every woman that you meet.
And I am also you.
** You are welcome to share this spiritual story on your blog, website, or in your newsletter. If you do, please remember to include a link to www.Spiritual-Short-Stories.com so your readers can enjoy more spiritual stories! 
**
Also if you reserve, please come back on a timely manner and complete.
Follow all AP rules (you know what they are by now)
No Sticky caps..
No Erotica..
No explicit language (others will be reading)..
Now have fun and write from the heart!
please note;
ATTENTION EVERYONE, I HAVE DECIDED TO LET MORE THAN ONE ENTRY PER PERSON BE ADMITTED BUT NO MORE THAN THREE, FOR I HAVE READ THEM ALL AND SOME HAVE OTHER VERSIONS OF ONE POEM THAT WOULD WORK AS WELL AS THE ONE ENTERED.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on March 26
- Rewards: Gold: 500, Silver: 300, Bronze: 200, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Final notes: Congratulations to the winners and I must say this was a very hard contest to judge. I wish you all could have gotten a gold for each of you brought such insight to your writings. Many brought different appraoches that amazed me, for I saw beneath each mask, the inner light and message that each wished to convey. Again, Congratulations to all and thanks to everyone for making this contest so difficult yet challenging as well.
ALL WERE BRILLIANT!
Contest Winners
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We all wear a mask for others to see .We dont want to bring others down with our problems indeed .So we smile and laugh while dieing from• Viewed by judge. [remove]
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• Viewed by judge. [remove]
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4836989, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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Never let the masks you wear
fall from your face• Viewed by judge. [remove] -
Reality
Illusions die• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
Putting on makeup IS just a colorful game,
when it allows you to pretend you knowby Writing0Freedom 35 lines, 20 comments, on Mar 1 11:03 PM• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
She bows
her face a mask of porcelain• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
Same Spirit
Different eyes• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
A dream it was,a device to siphon sympathy. Marking all that has passed for loves pretense,
forfeited, now spent.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Honorable mention
Entries [24]
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Meaningless thought suffuse my unknown mind.
Back and forth swings the pendulumby HenRienz 24 lines, 2 comments, on Feb 25 12:47 PM• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
Too many blemishes to show my true face
So many insecurities, what would they think?by benjamrom 22 lines, 2 comments, on Mar 8 8:44 PM• Viewed by judge. -
There is a pain that lies within; so deep and buried there.
It clouds my eyes and blinds meby skye01 24 lines, 7 comments, on May 24 4:35 AM 2008• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
True feelings to hold behind the mask will see;
Changing colors is the ever changing need.by nature 18 lines, 1 comment, on Mar 9 10:00 AM• Viewed by judge. -
At the dance I have come with my mask in placeby Dark Otter 21 lines, 5 comments, on May 5 8:53 PM 2008• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Their is a mask i wear,
To frighten off any demon• Viewed by judge. -
We dare to love
those precious few• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
wear the mask tight and never forget.
wear the mask tight and live in regret.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
take off the mask that hides your emotions
be the thing that starts the commotion
• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
Add a comment
Comments
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To Rob Banks
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So funny! *lol*
Why not tell us your reasons besides "robbing banks"???
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do you think THIS mask will do ?
we could share the jackpot ...
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yes. I beleive I can handle one of those right about now!
Will be judging this weekend, so will be needing a complete workover..hehehehe
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yes, go ahead and mask yourself, too and then we go and rob the bank !
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Wow~
Now this gives much to think about- I will see what I can bring forth Beautiful~ will work with Spirit and shake things up
Woot!! Best wishes to ALL~ 
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Looking forward to seeing your write, sweetie
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Thank you for the Hm. This was a really good contest and I congratulate all the other winners.
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thank you so much for the gift of trophy and abundance of points ...
I very much enjoyed responding to this inspiring prompt ...
heartfelt blessings and much love,
maa
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