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How I Feel Today

Early in the morning as my wife leaves out; caring for her father leaving me in doubt. Therefore my emotions start to tell about how I feel today. Feeling so forsaken as I don this mask; putting on this phony smile becomes a task. Wearing it’s my destiny so need you ask how I feel today. Spreading time ‘tween work and home I wear two hats; tending to my clients’ needs and feeding cats; feeling like I’m being split in two, and that’s how I feel today. Feeling sort of breathless from this endless blitz; caught between two lives sometimes is just the pits; wond’ring when this carousel will end, and it’s how I feel today. May10, 2018 Contest: Rhyme and Refrain Sponsor: Broken Wings

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Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 6/6/2018 12:06:00 AM

Looks like it was a winner, Congrats. Wearing a mask, it isn't easy is it? But, we unfortunately get used to it after awhile.

John Gondolf
Date: 6/6/2018 4:43:00 AM

Thank you, Sandy. I’m not sure I will ever get used to it, my mask is starting to wear thin.

Line Gauthier

Date: 6/2/2018 6:18:00 PM

Congrats on your top win, John.

John Gondolf
Date: 6/2/2018 6:34:00 PM

Thanks, Line.

James Inman

Date: 5/15/2018 7:36:00 PM

Very emotional John, I enjoyed reading this.

John Gondolf
Date: 5/15/2018 9:48:00 PM

Thanks for your comments, James, glad you enjoyed it. John

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/15/2018 5:27:00 PM

I love how you did yours. I chose this same theme but mine is a wee bit more positive in tone. Anyway, I love how you made shorter lines than I did. I found it difficult to whittle them down! Congrats. You wrote a really good poem.

John Gondolf
Date: 5/15/2018 5:44:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea. I found this to be a difficult write since for some reason I chose to have an odd number of syllables in each line which made it hard to stick to the meter. I really didn't feel good about this poem and almost did not post it. I was surprised that it did well.

Constance La France

Date: 5/15/2018 2:27:00 PM

John, congratulations on your win in my contest with this wonderfully penned poem ~

John Gondolf
Date: 5/15/2018 3:44:00 PM

Thank you so much, Constance, I appreciate it and thank you for hosting the contest. John

Rhoda Tripp

Date: 5/14/2018 11:27:00 PM

Congratulations, My friend.

John Gondolf
Date: 5/15/2018 3:41:00 PM

Thank you, Rhoda, I appreciate your support. John

Susan Gentry

Date: 5/14/2018 3:53:00 PM

Congratulations on your win with this realistic view of life in it's different stages. As I was reading, and I don't mean to sound trite as we all play our roles, is... If nothing changes... nothing changes. Your poem hit home with me.

John Gondolf
Date: 5/14/2018 4:06:00 PM

Thank you, Susan, I appreciate it. Yes, we play our roles and cope the best we can; this IS my life. John

Curtis Moorman

Date: 5/14/2018 2:36:00 PM

John, life often seems like a merry-go-round that we wish would at least slow down but maybe not stop altogether. So, yes, we don our mask and hide our feelings. I believe we do the latter out of love for those closest to us. We prefer not to burden them with our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. That is noble in a manner of speaking, but we also must take time to care for ourselves. I empathize with you due to the wearing of my own mask. Wonderful rendering of feelings well expressed.

John Gondolf
Date: 5/14/2018 4:08:00 PM

Thank you so much, Curtis, I appreciate your thoughts my friend. John

Winged Warrior

Date: 5/12/2018 7:40:00 AM

Ah yes...we each have a mask of the day...can you imagine if none of us wore masks?...we'd all look like foolish clowns lol...enjoyed the write my friend...love and light...^WW^

John Gondolf
Date: 5/12/2018 7:43:00 AM

Thanks, WW, I never thought of it that way but I think there is much truth to your words my friend. John

Pashang Salehi

Date: 5/11/2018 9:51:00 PM

John, you don't know how lucky you are...

Pashang Salehi
Date: 5/20/2018 1:56:00 AM

You bet...

John Gondolf
Date: 5/12/2018 7:44:00 AM

Thanks for your comments, Pashang.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 5/10/2018 4:59:00 PM

i like the honest way you've described how you're feeling, john (and very poetically, too!). life is full of challenges and sometimes it isn't easy getting through the day...

John Gondolf
Date: 5/11/2018 4:14:00 AM

Ilene, thank you so much for your wonderful comment, your support means a lot. John

Alexis Y.

Date: 5/10/2018 1:57:00 PM

Hi John, In life we wear many hats. In your case it's just you not taking your problems to work with you. Sometimes I've had to put on a smile that wasn't real however it turned real when I looked at my whole situation from another perspective. I wish you best of luck in the contest. PS, You have a nice smile by the way:-)Alexis

John Gondolf
Date: 5/11/2018 4:08:00 AM

Alexis, thank you for your sweet comments, I appreciate you. Best wishes. John

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/10/2018 10:48:00 AM

Don't have to put on false smiles now that I'm retired, don't miss that one little bit, but Daniels right, things could be a lot worse, but being human we always want more. Tom.

John Gondolf
Date: 5/10/2018 11:31:00 AM

Thank, Tom, I appreciate your thoughts. I always play the hand that I was dealt, and I give thanks for the blessings I have been given. John

Daniel Turner

Date: 5/10/2018 8:29:00 AM

John, looking at your photo, I can tell, that is not a fake smile. Just think, things could be a lot worse, at least you have your health and a loving mate. Nice to read you today.

John Gondolf
Date: 5/10/2018 9:40:00 AM

Thanks for your comments, Daniel. True, things can always be worse; I appreciate your visit. John

Heidi Sands

Date: 5/10/2018 7:28:00 AM

So well expressed John. It is awful having to put on a phony smile. Well written! :)

John Gondolf
Date: 5/10/2018 7:43:00 AM

Thanks for the visit, Heidi, I appreciate your comments. John