I wear a mask;
so that you won’t see the real me.
I am who you want me to be.
Yet underneath I am still the one with the plain face,
the one, with feelings, the one you would rather forget.
Face wear can not conceal who my crestfallen heart says that I truly am.
With tinted image, I appear lively;
while without it, I simply exist.
From charcoal shimmered eyes, painted raspberry smile,
I play the actress and live for ovation.
The audience breathes my performance
and claps at my perfection.
Every line memorized with precision, every delicate gesture applauded.
I am the pinnacle of your happiness.
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more..."
Today is the sunlight and I must relinquish my crutch, I ask that you
accept me for the simple being that I am.
Nod in recognition, and pass with enduring expression please.
For this performer has taken her final bow.
Author notes
Has anyone else felt as though they had to be perfect?
Pic Credit: removing my mask by `AutumnsGoddess
- Macbeth
In a list
A contest entry
- Prewrites!!!!! (MY 39th CONTEST!!!) by Heroesrox.
550 points, ended May 23, 32 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - You Broke Me by MelissahhMidnite.
716 points, ended June 20, 43 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Prewrites!!! Come take a look! by CentrifugalCorpse.
1250 points, ended September 7, 223 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
thoughts?
Comments
1 - 39 of 39
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Interesting expression of layers and concealment.
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your words in italics truly make this piece complete. the first and last stanzas are my favorite to match the beautifully portrayed picture. an excellent poem deseving of more than an HM in my opinion
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Good Job
This was a real good piece. I could actually really identify with this piece. Sometimes I feel like I'm wearing a mask hiding who I really am. I took the final bow many years ago. Thank You For this Piece. -
I like this
I like the line "I am the penticle of your happiness,I enjoyed hearing you analyze your life. I think deep down ive always been a poor player. this was well articulated -
Good poem, best part :
I am who you want me to be.
Yet underneath I am still the one with the plain face,
the one, with feelings, the one you would rather forget.
I really like this, alot of what you talk about are topics i have covered in my poems, and it is nice to see them from a perspective other than my own.
Well written well done.
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arent we all just actors upon the stage of life, with no rehearsals? I can see why this is atop your page, it asks so many questions of the reader and with some wonderful imagery.. the best part about this play called life, there is no script, we write it as we live it, thats pretty perfect to me..
p.s "Nod in recognition" imagine one of those car thingies that has the bobbing head placed right here
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I like this one, the second to last stansa saved it from mediocrity at first glance
though the poem does have a charm that mekes it worth reading even withot the second to last stanza, good job -
Beautifully written
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Perfect?
Is anyone really perfect? I think not though I have seen some assholes that were close! LOL You are very pretty and you have a great mind...what else could anyone want! You are a catch...if I was 30 years younger........The Shaker
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i am perfect lol not .... damn beautiful pen here great take and a wow poem
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Never felt the pressure to be perfect, god knows the reality of me, but I do understand the demand at times to perform, and the anguish of duplicity, who am I- vs- who they want me to be. This is a wonderful writing, deeply personal. I've not read you before, but you are brave to be this open on the page! It is very nice to read your talent.
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oh wow...
this is like what i feel like every day its crazy and hard to handle. beautiful!!
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An inspiration to read .
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great poem well written and thought through well
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masquerade
interesting perspective, also I like the psychiatric allusions of your nickname, your online mask
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bravo, real heartfelt emotion you tackled the subject matter really well, i love the last line, i like the whole stage show idea, its an idea i have wrote about a few times myself, this is great writing, keep it up, take care my friend
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Fabulous
I hear you were in the latest Star Trek movie. Were you born In Winona, Minnesota? If you was, then it is true, you are she! Please let me be your loving, adoring fan, and also, someday, I would like you to give me a ride in your little red sports car! Hey!
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Oh my. I love this. First, because I can identify with the meaning and am now inspired to write on the subject, but also I love the simple honest words mixed up with some vivid imagery. Very nicely constructed.
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You managed to state so eloquently the way I often feel about myself and the pressure I succumb to in order to please!I love it!
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A lovely poem Becca, it so describes how we all try to hide our true nature from the world, and yet this is our big mistake. We will never fulfill other peoples expectations, so we may as well please ourselves, and become REAL people
and people that mind, don't matter
David
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I love the concept of acting as more than a stage trick.
& I love this piece. Kudos.
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Very Good
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more..."
Much said in very few words
All quite wonderful
Rick
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Your poem is very well-written. I love it.
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Amazing
I enjoyed the style as well as the structure, the description especially concerning the performance at center stage is enticing and well portrayed, as for the ending it is pure perfection...
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gre-he-he -oovy
very aricullate. good job -
this is lovely.
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weeldone.
that was a very good poem , very descrpitive, i loved every part of it. -
From charcoal shimmered eyes, painted raspberry smile,
I play the actress and live for ovation.
Finalist. Because of those two lines and everything else here...
I am simply at a loss for words. This is something I totally not expected to receive in this contest. -
Sad. having read so many of your pieces, I am well aware of how you feel, and that is so sad because you are such a wonderful person. Your writes are truly remarkable. You certainly know how to put your feelings into words and get a reaction. I feel sad that there are people that feel they need to feel perfect for others. The very thought of messing up or not being who they want is such a ball and chain you do not need. Perhaps these people feel inferior to you and need to make themselves feel better...at your expense. Stand tall, my friend for you don't have to play second fiddle to anyone. Be you and lose the mask. I know it is hard and people are constantly saying it, but you need to impress yourself and give yourself space away from those who pull you down. A fantastic write that was so full of feelings and emotion. A piece that really made me feel deep inside.
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bravo
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this is really good and i know how you feel
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Yup...always...afraid of messing up even in the slightest.
I love the picture too. Great write. -
Stunning.
I can not put into words how I felt when I read your poem, you left me speechless. (and that doesn't happen very often
)
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yes i have many time but i've come to the point where only i exist and i make the people around me happy. i stand firm in my way.
i love this poem shows no pretence cuz liek ur third stanza said " Every line memorized with precision, every delicate gesture applauded"
great work keep it up!!
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This is beautiful, just love the way you have written this piece.
It's truly wonderful, and filled with exellent images.
Thanks for sharing, beblessed in all you do.
Tony
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I think your true friends except you for who you are regardless.
The answer to your question is yes, I think many feel that way also but in the end, you are the perfect you anyway.
Very thought provoking write Becca, one that will leave your readers pondering no doubt
Ken
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You did a great job expresses your feelings in this write.
One of my favorite poems by you.
-Buster
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You know even though you have penned this beautifully, you are one person who i treasure for being so real and honest that I find it hard to think this is anything but a work of fiction. You are one of the good one's ma sistah and I loves ya C
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outstanding!!
wow, yeah..the weight that society places upon people and their appearances is nerve wrecking to say the least, but you have to know that many more people care about you, for who you are ..INSIDE.
very deep n powerful sweetheart.
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