The Mask, Act Two: If You Knew
This mask hides a dark truth…
I couldn't tell how many times I'd stand in front of the mirror not knowing who I'm looking at
I can't do the math to add up the times that the glass broke
I don't know, if I should or shouldn't put it back together
I'm still trying to put together what I think people want to look at
Every mask I wear has a price- It's the time that I can't get back
But still I put them on even knowing that I hate that
I know I need to, but can't convince the lot of me-
To stop, the self-flagellation and try to see the inside-
Pop the question, "Who am I really?"
I look around and match what's around me
A walking mirror
Pick a persona, and put it on
Pick a face, then copy and paste
To mask the lack of purpose I that feel sometimes
To hide the difference I was told shouldn't be
What the world had told me-
I guess that's why the first book of John said not to love it, or all that's in it
To the people who think I'm rude
Please don't take it personal- It's not you, it's me
To the people who think I'm so strong, if only you knew...
Twenty years too late before I heard the words "I love you"
Twenty years too late before I heard the words "you matter"
I don't believe you but it's not that I don't want to
At times I feel like compliments are scripted
There's not one or two that'll contradict a thousand of there opposites
Can't let my feelings rule me and it'd be easy if they weren't repeated
If I'm told "thank you" and I say don't mention it, I mean it
It's twenty years too late for just a little gratitude to change my attitude-
Too late to slow the rate at which I'm losing altitude
I'm sorry that I don't believe you, you're just twenty years too late
To the people who think I'm too quiet, if only you knew..
"Don't speak unless your spoken to."
"Just do it because I told you to."
But what's pent up needs to vent-
So I take the mask off and put my pen to the paper-
Let the world read the text and mask back up like a reflex
To the people who think I'm so nice or so kind, if only you knew...
It's that exact kindness that I'm not used to-
A five bed house means a five star life right?
But really, the house is burning
And It's the fumes that I'm running on I write down
In the shadow of the TV's light are the lashes from the belt-
And the raised voice, of the unyielding tongue
To the people who think I'm so calm and collected, if only you knew...
All I'm really collecting
Adding up, on the inside of the mask the world made for me
It's plain to see that it's my surroundings that painted me
Every mask I own has it's price-
And if time is currency, then the debt collector will soon come gather what's due
To everyone whose seen one of my many masks, if only you knew...
About the Creator
Josh Morgan
I began writing as a means of expressing creativity, relieving stress, and venting emotions. I mention my daily battle with mental health a lot, I hope it is relatable and inspiring to readers, as writing is something I'm passionate about.
Comments (1)
Can I give you a standing ovation for this, Josh? Brilliant writing!