Open Poetry #47 |
Behind the Mask |
Word Weaver Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437California, USA |
"Behind the Mask" Leaving behind the sanctified ground with its musty grasses and dead blooms the woman discards the gown of black and begins to reclaim herself from the abyss. She knows the tales the headstones tell in the far corners of bleakest darkness she’s seen beyond the limits of unscathed mortal understanding where the Dorian Gray incarnates roam freely amongst angels in the bright of day. Unmercifully left behind she shudders as the bell continues to toll she attacks the onslaught layer by layer, shred by shred, until everything is covered, hidden well. She’s chosen her new facade carefully, as bright as tomorrow may well be the mask is in place and she, refusing the comfort of eyes long dead, or a heart numbed from aching, vanquishes it all donning gilded gown. With invisible shield in hand she roams over and through the remaining dimensions of life liberally bestowing smiles upon all and juggling time in perfect synch. Layer upon layer of tears now dried, hope forever within her, mourning becomes comfort, the ordinary order of things. The smiles continue, the games play on as the days repeat in haunting echoing she places them in a carefully cultivated, tended with love, garden of time knowing inevitably they will return. And behind the mask she quietly weeps, the salty, stinging, redemptive tears of those who have seen beyond and like her, stood their ground and fought, and fought, and fought again, and somehow, managed to victoriously survive. © Marcia Miller-Twiford |
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© Copyright 2011 Marcia Miller-Twiford - All Rights Reserved | |||
OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
I am speechless! That very seldom happens to me. I have only read this twice so far, but will be reading it many more times - it is already saved in my Word Weaver subfolder in my Pip folder of many other poets too, where I can get to them when my Internet connection is bad or non-existent. It seems to me that you are a perfectionist and haven't the faintest idea of how to write mediocre poetry. Smiles. Every intricate detail in this weave is so perfect and it isn't just a case of each word being "le mot juste", but also each image "l'image juste" and each idea "l'idée juste". Thank you for your excellence. Owl |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Owl says it very well. When I read poems like this, I just smile inside -first, for the beauty of the lines and thoughts and, second, in appreciation of someone writing something I would never be able to equal in the same style. You are a nice way to begin the morning, Marcia/ |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
ms weaver..your pen blends into shivers and then into parchment with sandalwood scent here..enjoyed it ms |
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CocoBaci Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043 |
Exquisite... |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Besides what I said about the excellence of this previously, I feel every ache, partly because of your intricate and sensitive description, and partly because I know those thoughts. I am sorry for your pain and stand in awe of your strength. Hugs. Owl |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
We need our masks, at least in a social setting where the viciousness can be downright . . . er . . . vicious / So dry those eyes / Grab that smiling mask / Walk back out that door Excellent writing, my friend . . . ~ I think we should only read books that wound and stab us.-Kafka ~ |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
...you are one of the most consistently good, and pleasurable to read, writers I've enjoyed in a long time. Applause to you, my friend. jimmy |
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Word Weaver Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437California, USA |
Thank you, and also to all who posted a comment before you. It's messages like these that keep a poet's pen full and flowing. |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
a poignant and powerful write indeed! |
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