Stitched in silver plumes
& music sheets
it didn't move our skin
to an intricate dance -
No, give us a mask
that makes our faces
alive: teeth baring, cheeks rouged
red, nostrils flaring
to scent of prey & danger -
A mask that doesn't mistake the
wanting in the eyes. Nor dims
desire
creamy & heavy lidded as the moon.
No this is the mask
that latches into our
bones & cracks
not smoothening but raving
our edges & unvarnished thoughts
black & primal
hungry for chase
A mask that purrs & wears nothing
but its claws
loving the havoc
of being put on
The mask that burns
slick words, speaking
in dead languages & ancient chants
Unmasking
until
We forget
our names but this-
Darkness
Here we are -
Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: Mini - Challenge: Masks by Grapeling ~
Shared with Poets United
Picture credit: here
lots of very intense imagery, Grace!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dezzy ~
Delete"I was in the darkness, so darkness I become"- This is a line from a song and my wallpaper for a brief amount of time.
ReplyDeleteThe most fearsome monster is the one that dwells within us. Powerful writing... and I love the dark verses and imagery, which are in abundance here. Great job! :-)
-HA
I like that line too ~ Thanks HA ~
DeleteNo this is the mask
ReplyDeletethat latches into our
bones & cracks...
What a superb premise for your exploration of masks. Your lines are all so powerfully expressed.
Thanks Kerry ~ This was fun to do, smiles ~
Deleteha. if i must have a mask, let it be...not smoothening but raving
ReplyDeleteour edges & unvarnished thoughts
black & primal ...smiles....i really like that section of this grace....
Thanks Brian ~
Deletehappy sunday grace....
DeleteI liked this:
ReplyDelete"A mask that doesn't mistake the
wanting in the eyes. Nor dims
desire
creamy & heavy lidded as the moon."
until I read THIS:
"hungry for chase
A mask that purrs & wears nothing
but its claws
loving the havoc
of being put on "
which I like even more, and the ending is ideal. Cool picture, too.
I apologize for being so critical of your recent loop poem challenge. I got carried away.
Seems like there is always a mask at play in most situations
ReplyDeleteso much transparency in our actions, so any mask may be guessed right ...
ReplyDeleteSeductive in all your guises.
ReplyDeleteWoW...breathtaking post.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Peace
Siggi
so many lines from which to draw; then these:
ReplyDeletewe forget
our names but this-
thank you for capturing and expressing the mini-challenge theme so well, Heaven ~
This is so wonderfully vivid.. a wonderful take on mask Grace..
ReplyDeleteThis is honestly my favourite EVER Heaven, utterly incredible!
ReplyDeleteYou have captured many facets of masks here, Grace. Happy Sunday to you!
ReplyDeleteDark and powerful - beautiful writing!
ReplyDeleteA mask that doesn't mistake the
ReplyDeletewanting in the eyes.
this is beautifully evocative, Grace. seems like your words are actually flying off the screen with all their color and darkness. well done!
You capture an essential feeling of what masks are for, and how we use them even in the most intimate settings. Esp like "loving the havoc/of being put on .." where the mask takes over and has a life of its own because we give it.
ReplyDeleteThe mask that burns slicks words...like that Grace, very good poem.
ReplyDeleteLove this Grace.
ReplyDeletedarkness here we are.. love that closing line. "A mask that doesn't mistake the
ReplyDeletewanting in the eyes." - very well put.
gorgeous, Grace - truly gorgeous writing... a masterful unveiling of masks :)
ReplyDeletenot smoothening but raving
ReplyDeleteour edges & unvarnished thoughts
black & primal
great lines in here Heaven - solid imagery throughout!
beautiful and powerful expression.............No, give us a mask
ReplyDeletethat makes our faces
alive: ............my favorite lines
Wonderful, wonderful write Grace
ReplyDeleteOh, this thrummed with emotion. Lyrical and beautiful. Will be reading this piece again. It lingers.
ReplyDeleteSuch a powerful write, I am breathless, Grace. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThe third stanza is a living, breathing dragon! :) ha, that means it is powerfully awesome.
ReplyDeleteSometimes masking is necessary too!
ReplyDeleteThe darkness within us all - we wear masks every day in public, but this speaks to our hidden desires and carnal nature. Loved it! Amy
ReplyDeleteWow! I would like this mask again, Grace, another turn in its rawness which feels so naked. Everything about this poem, from idea to last word, is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to wear this mask the next time I make love.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful.
ReplyDelete"A mask that purrs & wears nothing
but its claws
loving the havoc
of being put on" !
K
LOVE the passion in the image here:
ReplyDelete"A mask that doesn't mistake the
wanting in the eyes. Nor dims
desire"
Well written, Grace!!
What Kay L. Davies said! So true.
ReplyDelete