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MASK

MASK

I hope that you will understand:
I have no need to win her heart-
I just have years of need to know,
Did she understand the part
Of me she saw so many years ago,
One April night, when time stood still?
She'd looked into an emptiness
That only you have filled…

Embarrassed by old memories,
I search for shreds of dignity,
Some token that says she had seen
And recognized that it had been
An involuntary cry, whose cause
Was some uncertain sense of loss,
A momentary glimpse at pain
Behind a mask that would not slip again…

And maybe, when you hear this song
Someday, you’ll come to understand
This was no waywardness along
My road, no loss of self-command:
Just purging of a fear to know
What image I’d find in this cask:
I want you to know this, my love,
To you, I’ve never worn a mask:
You know you are, have always been,
Will always be my woman, first and last…

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=7936138

About This Poem

Last Few Words: If you'd care to hear this one as a song, please click on the Hyperlink just below the body of the lyric.

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Not actively editing

About the Author

Region, Country: Asia, India, IND

Favorite Poets: Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, Jim Croce, Paul Simon (...albeit not necessarily in that order)

More from this author

Comments

S

scribbler

14 years 7 months ago

mask

You know you're truly loved when somebody sees the real, hidden you and loves you anyway. You put this much better in your poem/song............scribbler

S

scribbler

14 years 7 months ago

mask

You know you're truly loved when someone sees the real hidden you and still loves you anyway. You put this much better in your poem/song................scribbler

Psyve

Psyve

14 years 7 months ago

Scribbler,

Thanks for stopping by.
What you say is true, though, perhaps that was not the thrust of this poem....
Psyve

Psyve

Psyve

14 years 7 months ago

Amal

You are of course right about the third person in the background in this song.
And yes, this is a sad song....
Glad you liked it, tho.
Thank you for reading / listening to this one.
Psyve

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

14 years 7 months ago

Dear Psyve,

A very sad song indeed. I could very much relate to it. Many captivating lines, but my favorites were:

Just purging of a fear to know
What image I’d find in this cask:

always, Cat (and Eddy)

Psyve

Psyve

14 years 7 months ago

Cat

Thank you for stopping by to listen and comment.
Glad you found you could relate.

Psyve

Psyve

Psyve

14 years 7 months ago

Longo,

Thank you for listening to this one. Am pleased it worked for you.
P

lou

lou

14 years 7 months ago

Psyve

This is filled with a lot to identify with, i think we all hide behind a mask, and let it slip occasionally.
When we find someone that we reveal ourselves to totally, it is a frightening thing, we become vulnerable.

I found a lot to enjoy.

Lou

K

Kailashana2

14 years 7 months ago

And isn't that ironic, Lou?

And isn't that ironic, Lou? We all have the same fear: vulnerability. We all have the same need: to be loved and to love. Unless of course, if we're unbalanced, then all life-denying actions take precedence, take its place.

Though I love the being-behind-the-mask, some masks are downright frightening.

Cool work, Cyrus.

~A

Psyve

Psyve

14 years 7 months ago

Lou

Of course you are right: when we drop our masks, particularly in front of those we love, that is an act of faith.
Glad you found something in this song that you enjoyed.
P

Psyve

Psyve

14 years 7 months ago

Anna

I do agree with you.
And it is all about vulnerability ... and trust...
Thank you for stopping by this song.
Glad you liked it.
Psyve

Blue_Halcyon

Blue_Halcyon

14 years 6 months ago

Awesome poem

My attention isn't easily retained, and this poem held it to the very end. You have woven the perfect words together in this poem to convey some very intense emotions. Excellent piece of work!

Psyve

Psyve

14 years 6 months ago

BH

Thank you for taking the time to read this one. I know its a longish... from the standpoint of most poetry here, so i appreciate your patience.

Glad you liked it.

Psyve