A Discussion of Masks
Let the mask crumble, but at what cost?
90 percent of the population surely
walk around in ‘the mask’ in some capacity -
some more than others.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Well, I don’t know, but it helps them to get by,
and possibly get ahead…
***
“The mask is still inside you,” he says.
“It was of your making,” he continued,
“What exactly would it cost to put the mask back on again?”
It’s like Bane says to Batman,
“No one cared who I was 'til I put on the mask.” -
“You are still here Batman! With or without a mask.”
“I know you are still in there somewhere, alter-ego and all.”
A deep sigh emits, as if ten elephants had just been released
from the weight of their shoulders.
“That IS interesting and I wasn’t expecting you to say that”, they say.
“I’m sorry for being judgemental before,” he continued,
“It’s just I’m kinda judgemental,”
“Not my best trait, nor my worst, yet,”
“I see the wearing of the mask’ as being the cause
of ‘the breakdown’ - now you are saying it’s the solution?!”
“That’s really going down one rabbit hole and into another,
or, a snake chasing its.. It can’t be that easy!?”
“You make it sound..”, their voice trailed off.
They didn’t talk for a few moments and then..
“Look I will take that on board. Thank you.”
Their eyes averted his, and for a few minutes there seemed to be hope,
at their end of the tunnel,
that all is NOT lost and
‘a return’ is not outside the realm of possibility..
Yet would it be a choice for the best?
Had they ascended too far via the disintegration of
their mask?
***
Time demonstrated that a letting go of the mask continued, yet
they dizzingly spun around the stratosphere,
Never reaching a knowingly safe point to land.
Their choice, their dilemma,
Their undoing.
***
Thanks for reading.
About the Creator
Grz Colm
Film and TV reviews, 🎞 as well as short stories and free verse poems.
Comments (15)
Happy to see you again, I am kind of out of it, missing lots of great stories like this one, is the writing bug biting again. Hope so. I mossed some of your stories, hope to catch up.
I hope you start writing again. Its been a while now. Sending hugs and healing .❤️
Hey G to the CCC! How you be? Seen any good flicks lately? I saw HIM with Marlon Wayans! Wonderful acting but an uber-weird plot.
The tension between the mask as protection and as a barrier is beautifully captured. This piece makes me reflect on my own masks and whether they serve me or hold me back. Such a deep exploration of self.
Hey, Grz! How are you traveling these days in the midst of the masquerade called life?:)
I loved this Grz, very introspective and examining!
A fascinating exploration of identity and self-perception. The dialogue feels both introspective and philosophical, leaving the reader to ponder the true cost of authenticity.
Masks are always worn and as you said-they never really come off
⚡️💙⚡️
I like the way you wrote this. It almost seemed like a mini opera… so much emotion and drama. This kind of stuff is your forté. Outstanding work, Grz.
Nicely done! I loved the conversation format used here. Very effective. And the closing lines, Like Dharr said, were deep!
Great entry, Grz. Nice to see you creating <3 Hope you are doing well <3
This was so creative, the way you incorporated that conversation into your poem. Your last five lines were so deep. Loved your poem so much!
A fascinating poem… the conundrum of masks/not. I like honesty, but not unrestrained rage etc, if that’s how the person is feeling… if showing restraint = wearing a mask, I think there’s a place for it!🤔✅
This was brilliantly crafted! Through this piece I realize that we as a society often give more power to and put more confidence in our masked selves than we do to our authentic selves. You flame-broiled this piece! Get it Grizzle for Shizzle! 🎉💪🏾