Masks. Masks we hide behind. Masks we dress up with. Masks we use to deceive or decorate.
Masks we make of our own faces. This is what we explored this month. Masks and what lies beneath them.
Enjoy!
Egg Speaks
People describe me as hard.
Cold, even. I get it, I do,
but there’s more to me
than meets the eye. I am soft
on the inside. Tender. Full
of possibilities. I can
transform, rise up, nourish.
I have a heart
of gold.
Salt Speaks
All these years
of being ground down
of being turned into
something smaller
than myself (as if
I don’t matter, as if
I’m too intense
otherwise) – I’m done
with that. I see
myself crystal-clear
now. Strong as a rock.
Earthy, natural, pure.
Irresistible.
Lemon Speaks
Like a globe
on its axis, like
the sun, like
garden basil,
like a day
split into
perfect parts,
I shine.
You can read some of my poetry sisters’ mask poems here:
Laura
Tanita
Sara
Tricia
Rebecca
And Linda Baie is hosting Poetry Friday at Teacher Dance!
These are gems, Liz, each one. You’ve gotten to the heart of a mask poem, revealing the tenderness inside of everything.
The egg is still my favorite, though these are all delightful. The sweetness of egg, the strength and grit of salt, and the confidence of lemon–great voices!
I just love that lemon one, but all of these works so well. I wish I could have released myself from rhyming, but maybe next time.
“Strong”, “Transformative”, “Shining” – attributes I imagine many of us wish for, and now you’ve told us other ideas, the everyday objects we might observe again. Love each one’s voice, Liz.
I love that you found these inspirational voices right there in your very own kitchen!
I love the egg’s heart of gold, the sulking voice of the salt, and the lemon’s sense of its own importance. What fun these are–and what fun you must have had writing them!
I think Egg Speaks is my favorite (I adore eggs in every form), but they are all eggcellent Mask poems:)
Boy that egg, you really cracked the surface and got right to it’s heart–great such character, thanks Liz!