Masquerade

I went to my closet 
To pick out a mask
Many to choose from
Am I up for the task?

The image of sensitivity
Or do I want to appear strong
Maybe the mask of co-operation
I can pretend to get along

Do I dare go with ugly
Can I pull off being mean?
Perhaps I can go with sexy
Or try dawning obscene 

This mask that is two faced
I have had it on before
It got me in trouble
I won't wear it any more

What about pious
The mask of a saint
Or maybe this clown
Colored with paint

I wouldn't mind being a hero
At least for one day
I could be a philosopher 
If I had something to say


All of these masks
Here in my pile
I think I will discard them
Just be myself for a while

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/3/2014 12:37:00 PM
Congratulations Richard. Very well articulated poem. Sometimes it can be the hardest thing for us to do.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/30/2014 7:45:00 AM
Clever, I like seeing who you are for you, no masks :) great Richard, :)
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/30/2014 8:22:00 AM
Thanks Casarah.
Date: 12/8/2012 11:03:00 PM
You are right, I love this poem. It helps support mine in the sense that many people struggle in trying to be who they are inside. A difficult task, might I add. Thank you for deferring me here, fav'd it! -JuliMichelle
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/8/2012 11:32:00 PM
Glad you lked it Julimichelle. Feel free to browse there may be more to your liking.
Date: 12/6/2012 6:11:00 PM
very provacative. half the time we don't even know we're pretending? Light & Love
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/7/2012 12:16:00 AM
Thanks for taking time to look through my less recent poems. It is appreciated.
Date: 11/14/2012 3:00:00 AM
oh love the fact that u have used the idea of a mask...Masquerade to express something that we have all experienced to some degree in life. the many faces of a human being today....its interesting. Love the poem :)
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/14/2012 7:32:00 AM
I have been frightened and hurt by the many masks that I have seen especially in early life. Some of the lovely faces hid monsters.
Date: 11/12/2012 3:54:00 PM
Glad that you chose to just be yourself for awhile..Enjoyed reading your creative work..Thanks for stopping by..Your kind review was very uplifting..Sara
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 5:26:00 PM
When you get to a certain age you dispense of the masks. Take me as I am!
Date: 11/12/2012 2:40:00 PM
lovely write - especially love the last stanza
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 5:26:00 PM
Glad you liked it jack
Date: 11/12/2012 2:37:00 PM
With poetry as good as this, Richard, wow don't care which mask you wear,the imagery is brilliant,
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 5:27:00 PM
Thanks Harry, I am a fan of your style as well.
Date: 11/12/2012 1:15:00 PM
Allow the mask to be home ..... be yourself! - A very good poem Richard. - - Have a wonderful week. - - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 1:20:00 PM
Thanks so much, appreciate your visits.
Date: 11/12/2012 12:58:00 PM
Too bad everybody doesn't think this way! ... Terry (good poem)
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 1:04:00 PM
Thanks Terry, as long as you do that is the best beginning hopefully others will see how easy it is an follow your example.
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 1:01:00 PM
Thanks Anne, you honor me again, so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you are having a great day off.
Date: 11/12/2012 12:12:00 PM
Just be. That is my philosophy. Wouldn't that be too tiring wearing them? Good write. I like you for being yourself. I think that is the best one. So out the masks they go, Richard.
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 12:39:00 PM
I never did find one that was comfortable to wear, what you see is what you get. Thanks for commenting
Date: 11/12/2012 8:59:00 AM
Good one, my good friend from B.C.! "Just be myself for a while"... right on! Cheers, Jack
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 9:09:00 AM
Thanks Jack, I have no doubt you have discarded your masks long ago.
Date: 11/12/2012 8:52:00 AM
I like where took this Poem my friend.. very very good.... Michael
Login to Reply
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/12/2012 8:57:00 AM
Thanks, I had fun with this one.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter