The world’s phantom wanders across the pebbled shores
Alone
He walks this moonlit path
Glimmering in the murky black waters,
The white mask of the moon casts down her reflection
Upon the sea
Of humanity
His skin has never seen the glowing rays of dawn
Or the healing spring breeze of acceptance.
Living behind self-imposed bars;
His costume,
His protection
Like all of us
He lives in a plastic culture
A culture of constant conformity
Those who do not fit the mold
Must make themselves strangers to their neighbor
And the rest of the world.
Or live a life
Of ridicule
Where judgmental eyes will bore into your soul
Always an outcast
Even in a mask we are strangers
To both the world
And ourselves
For every individual
Every rebel
Every poet
Every child,
A mold fit for each one of us
Who don’t fit society’s mold.
Underneath the many layers
Awaits a suffocating human
Longing to breathe
With freedom to live
Naturally
Free of restriction
Clammy beads of sweat gather
As we grow evermore anxious
To break free
As time passes
As the world continues its façade
He is trapped
But sees through it all
By the shore
Under the moonlight
Here he returns each night
To sculpt magnificent castles by the shore
Sculpting a kingdom of dreams
A beautiful imaginary world
A maskless world
Where we all live together
Acceptingly
Interconnected
This vision he sees
So clearly in his imagination
And sculpts from his dreams each night
And drifts into a restful slumber
Under the moonlight
He continues to dream
Only to find his castles swept away
By the hands of the sea
Disillusioned
He awakes
Returning to a world without faces
But like the tide,
He too continues to return
Tonight he closes his eye lids to dream
Wishing upon a star
For just one soul
Who understands
He awakes by the light of her lantern
Shining through the darkness
Maskless
Her radiant face glimmers in the moonlight
Her brown eyes are deep with compassion
Enchanting
In calm love
Her dark tresses billow in the midnight breeze
Framing her
As she walks towards him
Her face possesses the sweetness of an angel
She radiates with an otherworldly glow
A mysterious creature
Who rises from the sea.
She holds his hand and speaks sweetly
Of her dreams
She saw his castles each night
Seeing them in her own reveries too
She reaches for his face
Strip by strip
She gently peels away
His plaster prison
Layer by layer
Finally, he is vulnerable in every way
Struck with awe
She finally sees the beauty
Of His mask-less face
His face shimmers with beauty
And deep transforming thoughts
His world of visions and dreams
Penetrating eyes
Eyes that can see through the whole world
But have never been seen before
Filled with a fiery passion
She gazes deeply into them
Mesmerized
Lost in his beautiful world
In total vulnerability
She strokes his bare cheek tenderly
With pure bliss
flesh shivering upon contact
They kiss
Bringing each other to life once more
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© Jan 2007 ~Ilana Cofield~
Author notes
We wear masks all the time in the world in an attempt to fit in or because we are encouraged to fit in and be someone who we are not. But there comes a day of awakening and all the fakeness feels painfully wrong. But sometimes it seems like the whole world is fake and to be authentic means being a loner.
What a joy it is to be around people who want to see under the mask and will love the real you. Those people are very rare to come by; but they are totally amazing people.
This poem is dedicated to a beautiful person who believes in authenticity as much as I do and has been very inspiring in my my journey to remove my own mask. He in fact encouraged me to start writing poetry again.
In a list
- Healing/empowering • next in list
- Water poems • next in list
- love • next in list
- Transformation • next in list
- Contest • next in list
- Authenticity • next in list
- Throphy winners • next in list
A contest entry
- Lights Camera, Emotion! by the Angel in Hell.
353 points, ended January 14, 2007, 11 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Knock Me Socks Off...they're sadly dirty anyhow... by Tweedle Dum.
690 points, ended January 27, 2007, 29 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Level One: Difficulty: Painless by IndividualEleven.
600 points, ended January 29, 2007, 182 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Behind The/My Mask by willowprincess.
525 points, ended March 2, 2007, 26 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 45 of 45
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Interesting piece to be certain, nice flow to it with a deep and meaningful concept. Bravo to you for both working on your authenticity and finding someone to share that journey with you. Best of luck in this and all of your endeavors.
Hetohke'e 
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Very detailed, very creative, a wwonderful theme reinforced by your use of repeated words and phrases, well done.
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i love this poem, but unfortunately for my contest it needs to have the title 'Behind the/my Mask'
you can either change the title, or enter a new poem, it's up to you. -
WOW, no wonder this got the gold...
It is another wonderful poem. It is very difficult to come up with the proper superlatives.
You write with such depth and beauty.
Buddy
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A masterpeice!
Gee! I thought I was the only one who felt like this.I beleive each of us is God's masterpeice of art-His unique creation!He made us each in a very special and unique way and if we can live in that uniqueness, then we can fulfill the destiny God has purposed for us and the world will become a better place.It may be hard to be the person God made you to be, but I beleive that unless we do, we will never experience true happiness!
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Wow!!!
This is amazing. I can see why you suggested I read it
And I am very happy I did. So many people wear so many different masks to just to be accepted roi to hide who they really are, and you have captured taht brilliantly in this. You did such a great job creating images in my mind, and you really touched me with this. It's been awhile since a poem has touched me!
Amazingly brilliant job!
Much love,
~Fiona~
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Beautifully expressed....I too have worn the mask, not once, but twice if not more than that to fit in. I really appreciate the way u express feelings in this....I enjoyed.
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Wow, I just have to note this stanza;
"For every individual
Every rebel
Every poet
Every child,
A mold fit for each one of us
Who don’t fit society’s mold."
For some reason, I just stopped and read over that stanza again and again. I really liked it.
The message you have with this is really good, at first I thought the beginning was worded a bit thicker than my taste, but other than that, I really enjoyed this.
Althouhg this is lengthy, I enjoyed the ending. I think you did a marvelous job of penning this!
(CONGRATS ON THE GOLD TROPHY!!!)
-Shirley- -
This was long, but it was great. I love the imagery and the idea. I don't read pieces this good very often and thank you for giving me the honor.
- Cait -
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Bee u ti ful!!!
I threw my masks away many years ago. Now all you get is what you see. If you don't want an an answer to a question - don't ask. This just rings with truth and wisdom. You did a great job with a very long poem. I am ADDH or whatever, and it kept my attention every line. I enjoyed this very much!
hugs Wolfie
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Stunning imagery in this piece! You've captured the essence of the way we hide to protect and cloak ourselves. You've used great descriptives when sharing the vision of what lies under the mask. Powerful and moving piece! Very well done!
~Lori
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Thank God he did because this is a fantastic piece of poetry. It took my breath away and made me crave it's continuation. Beautiful imagery great flow vocabulary use perfect.
Loved this write
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hEY i REALLY LOVED THIS IT REMINDED ME OF THE pHANTOM of the Opera and I loved the language and structure you used. I hope you are planing to write more like this one soon it was a really good read.
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My oh My,,such depth of thought,such unbelievable insight into the life of the inner poet, and reaching out into realities deep and hidden...and the Use of Imagery abundantly moving through this lengthy but steady flow of story and process of the artist experiecing realities put to words...Incredibly magnificent!
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I um...I am speechless. If I could write exactly how it makes me feel it might take awhile. The fear of no acceptence...or the fear of accepting? Who is who? Which is which? Everyone wheres a mask once in awhile. Even those who are strongest. Wonderful job. Best of wishes~
Inanonsense -
A very impressive gold winner. If the writing process (along with the healing process) has taught me anything, it is that our personal explorative journeys into the unconscious, alow us to see more of who we truly are, our most authentic self. This process of transformation, a transition of soul as it learns to grow and emerge from its confines, is difficult and troubling at first but so very worth the effort. Your poem here expresses the being that you are, the creature you are becoming and has been known from the foundation of the world…finding a container for this emergent self is the greatest challenge, an endeavor that will take the rest of your life. Your work, your writing, does not speak volumes about who you are, It fairly shouts aloud and with a bright joy of expressive exuberance that is a marvel to behold. May your journey be filled with wonder and acceptance along the long way.
Blessings and best wishes, ~r.
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WOW!!! great use of imagery!!!
"We wear masks all the time in the world in an attempt to fit in or because we are encouraged to fit in and be someone who we are not."
That is soooo right. I'll admit: I am not who people think I am either... And this poem REALLY makes one think about life differently... Great rite! Keep it up!
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I very much appreciated the story-like quality of your poem, though found it more a commentary than a poem in and of itself. Does that make sense? In other words, it seemed almost preachy, until about half-way through the piece. The last two lines don't do the previous stanza justice. I'd prefer to see that four-line stanza as the last. Would make for a great lasting image
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I love the imagery and mood of this poem. it's so magical! Excellent word choice and wonderful writing. Nice work.
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Dear,
A fantastic poem where freedom is described so beautifully.To confirm to society is taught everywhere, but freedom never lies in confirming to some thing.To uncage the freedom one has to understand what is not freedom.Freedom is at the begining not at the end. We unconciously walk into the trap of confirmity, thus losing discovery of freedom. Freedom is endleess voyage. When one is not alert to the ways of society one loses freedom, which is so wonderfully described in your poem. Thanks for sharing dear.continue to search thoughts hidden at depths. All the wishes in the search
Lovingly,
Venu -
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Thank you so much for your kind comment. What you say about freedom being an endless voyage is so true. We must constantly fight for it, and in current times in this society, it's especially critical.
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Beautiful,
absolutely breathtaking,
it's like a story that I never
wanted to end... the flow was
wonderful as was the concept.
Bravo! I'll be looking forward to
reading more of your work. -
it started out beautifuly and then i got off track into social commentary,it seemes like this is two distinct poems that you tried to merge into one, where in some spots it works and others it doesn't, don't get me wrong, i like this, i get what you're saying and think you have great imagry...keep writin
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wow! this is long...lol...but wprth the read... i loved the metaphors used in it and the picture it painted...you are so talented and i can't wait to read more from you....
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I'm sorry the poem was just to long to hold my intrest, but i am sure it was good because it walked away with the gold
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Wow, this is realy pretty. I loved the photo that went this, and you really brought it all to life. Well done.
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amazing
I really love this piece. I really can't put into words how much I love about this poem. Its beautifully written and good luck.
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Wow. You sure had a whole mouthful to say on this poem! You were very detailed in your words and thoughts and I understood very clearly what you meant about people wearing masks and the way that society treats people who are different. I agree that it's tough to be yourself when the world doesn't seem to like that. I think you expressed that well enough.
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wow... what can I say? your words penetrated through me. i absolutely cannot express how perfect your metaphors are, though i felt you lost them a little in the middle. overall i can completely relate to this. it's simplicity and the expression of love make it complete. there wouldn't be anything i would change about this. keep writing because you've inspired me.
ali -
Amazing! You have bounds of talent! I have never read such a beautiful poem. The poem is so easy to relate to. I loved the topic, it was great. I had a personal connection on so many levels, with nearly every line in your poem. All the stanza's are great, but my favorites, were the second third, seventh, and twelvth. This poem is so magnificant, I would try to get it published if I were you. Keep on writing poems like these.
You have impressed me so much by this piece, please, do keep writing.
~Adam.
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Many masks can hide the face
Some of metal, some of lace
Which do you choose for me to wear
I warn you now to beware
Not all faces are so fair -
Super extraordinaire!
Delightfully matchless ouff!! Love these lines -
He awakes by the light of her lantern
Shining through the darkness
Maskless
Her radiant face glimmers in the moonlight
Her brown eyes are deep with compassion
They kiss
Bringing each other to life once more
I was highly inspired by the many facets of your poem, very pleasing Finding someone who will help you peel the layers toward authenticity within unconditional support and love is very precious. Is it not what friends are for? In the end, no one has final authority over your destiny but you.. The greatest treasure you will ever have is your self-image and you must never let anyone take this away from you, no matter who it may be 
If a dear one respects/encourages the integrity of your work and belief, i would imagine he/she is part of your own destiny 
Tons of love xx and the pic is awesome!!
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Thank you so much for your encouragement and this beautiful comment. I'm glad to hear that you liked it. Indeed true love is authentic love and if a love wants you to be anything else but yourself, they are falling in love with the mask and not you. Those lovers of authenticity are so rare and I treasure those like that in my own life; especially in this world which encourages us to conform. These people are soul mates in a way.
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good
As far as the poem is concerned I enjoyed reading it,but when I got the the last line I got lost. What did I miss along the way that said either or both were dead? As far as your idea is concerned, the truth is: all are unique, but all also wear masks of one kind or another- two sided as the Greek actors.
however, we all want someone to "know only the "good" side of who we are. Since I don't even know "me", I've discovered the older i get, so any expression of myself is always incomplete.
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the last line
Well being dead was more symbolic than anything else. Here are two dreamers who are outcasts in a society of conformity. At one time they both wore masks to hide who they really were and were not really understood by anyone, therefore their true selves were dead to the rest of the world. When they found each other, they understood each other and came alive again, especially when she removed his mask.
Also, I think of this kind of authentic love as bringing both people to life. That's surely how I felt when I met someone who understood and wanted to see the real me.
It's so true how we hide our imperfections. I'm still guilty of that too but it's decreasing. Our imperfections give us character and make us human.
Anyway, I'm glad you liked it and thanks for your comment.
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inspiring
I was floored when I read
"Even in a mask we are strangers
To both the world
And ourselves"
So true, and so striking. I am not by nature one for free verse, though this was enjoyable, though long. My attention starts to wander after 70 lines or so. But this was inspirational; I can't stop thinking about castles in the sand, and all sorts of metaphorical things. Thank you for that, lately writing has been difficult for me.
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Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was facing a few weeks of writer's block before I wrote this poem as well, but then I started reading about Imago relationships and something just came over me.
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Soemtimes the very mask that we use enables us to walk through life unrecognised, if we find a person who can wipe away all the superficial layers and see us for ourselves, we are truly blessed. This is a fine piece and so intricately deilcate in its words that underneath reveal ever so subtley the way of the world, hiding behinds masks, be it the government or just everyday people with misconceptions about the world we live in and not bothering to try and change them or themselves. Very deep dear poet. (You need to edit angle - think you meant angel!)
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Thank you for catching angel for me.
I wish it wasn't so rare to find someone who really wants to see the real you rather than the superficial you. And concept can apply in so many facets, like you said. But I guess the rarity of authentic people makes meeting someone like that all the more special.
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This is incredible, and exceptional, I couldnt agree with you more. Reading this I felt as if I was transformed to a place i am all to familiar with and yet have never been! I loved this piece, keep it up! i will be looking out for your works in the future
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Thank you so much.
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ONE of the Best
One of the best pieces I've ever read here in AP. Thank you so much for the breathtaking words and wisdom embedded in your poetry.
One thing though, I think that you need to change breath to breathe in this stanza
Underneath the many layers
Awaits a suffocating human
Longing to breath
With freedom to live
Naturally
Free of restriction
Overall, you did a very good job.
Again, thanks for sharing
---"I don't know what to say. Do read my mind."---VIRGOAN
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Thanks. I fixed breathe and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed.
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You had me at hello!
THis is by far the greatest poem i have ever read including my own, and that's a feat for anyone to say. and if you know that girl tell her to come build sand castles with me..i'll gladly give away my mask..it want to be there, i want to lose it, be free..i suppose I have moments were i think I am but i'm not... i want be carefree and gravitate toward whatever i desire, but it's so hard to go alone...but i guess that's your point if i don't go and do my thing she'll never notice me and my own castles in sand... wow im totally rivetted, throttled, inspired, longing, I wish I could have what you flaunt before me. I wish.
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Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment and encouragement.
I can relate deeply to both you and the masked figure in this poem. This is very much my story as well. Not too long ago, I was in the very same state. I felt trapped from both myself and the rest of the world. I viewed myself as unreachable, weird, and even unlovable. I was in a state of longing and then I grew cynical about love and even swore off love completely a few times. My mask was clinging to my skin so tightly and I just longed for one person who would understand and would love the person hidden behind my mask, and I was just longing to break free of that prison which blocked me from both myself and everyone else.
It’s sad that the world we live in is so judgmental and fake. And conformity and ostracism for not conforming sicken me to no end. Though we long to take off our masks, it’s challenging for those reasons. I myself was very afraid of judgment and that’s one of the reasons I was blocked so long.
Finally, I was at the breaking point and couldn’t bear hiding myself and not knowing who I was anymore. I started to break free from my mask and then as my skin started to shine through, I met a beautiful unmasker who saw just a bit of the skin under my mask and has helped me continue this journey. I think the unmasking process is part personal growth and part healing through relationships. It’s a two-fold process and I continue to heal from both ends.
I do believe healing and transformation is very possible. I can relate so deeply to the struggle of starting to remove the mask and the longing and frustration involved there. I can see you’re longing for an authentic deep relationship and for encouragement and support in the unmasking process. I empathize with you deeply in this. You can actually have what I have. I consider myself an unmasker as well and since I know this journey very well, I’d love to support others who are seeking this same thing. If you want, I’d love to talk to you about this and help you and support you in this journey and perhaps lead you to more support. We can talk about other things as well.
I applaud you for wanting to lose your mask. Many people are not even aware that they are wearing one.
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