Saturday 26 October 2013

The unMASKing



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  

38 comments:

  1. lots of very intense imagery, Grace!

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  2. "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.
    The 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

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  3. No this is the mask
    that latches into our
    bones & cracks...

    What a superb premise for your exploration of masks. Your lines are all so powerfully expressed.

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    1. Thanks Kerry ~ This was fun to do, smiles ~

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  4. ha. if i must have a mask, let it be...not smoothening but raving
    our edges & unvarnished thoughts
    black & primal ...smiles....i really like that section of this grace....

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  5. I liked this:

    "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.

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  6. Seems like there is always a mask at play in most situations

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  7. so much transparency in our actions, so any mask may be guessed right ...

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  8. WoW...breathtaking post.
    Thank you
    Peace
    Siggi

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  9. so many lines from which to draw; then these:

    we forget
    our names but this-

    thank you for capturing and expressing the mini-challenge theme so well, Heaven ~

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  10. This is so wonderfully vivid.. a wonderful take on mask Grace..

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  11. This is honestly my favourite EVER Heaven, utterly incredible!

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  12. You have captured many facets of masks here, Grace. Happy Sunday to you!

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  13. Dark and powerful - beautiful writing!

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  14. A mask that doesn't mistake the
    wanting 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!

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  15. 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.

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  16. The mask that burns slicks words...like that Grace, very good poem.

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  17. darkness here we are.. love that closing line. "A mask that doesn't mistake the
    wanting in the eyes." - very well put.

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  18. gorgeous, Grace - truly gorgeous writing... a masterful unveiling of masks :)

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  19. not smoothening but raving
    our edges & unvarnished thoughts
    black & primal

    great lines in here Heaven - solid imagery throughout!

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  20. beautiful and powerful expression.............No, give us a mask
    that makes our faces
    alive: ............my favorite lines

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  21. Oh, this thrummed with emotion. Lyrical and beautiful. Will be reading this piece again. It lingers.

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  22. Such a powerful write, I am breathless, Grace. Fantastic!

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  23. The third stanza is a living, breathing dragon! :) ha, that means it is powerfully awesome.

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  24. Sometimes masking is necessary too!

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  25. The darkness within us all - we wear masks every day in public, but this speaks to our hidden desires and carnal nature. Loved it! Amy

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  26. Wow! 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.

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  27. I think I'd like to wear this mask the next time I make love.

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  28. This is wonderful.
    "A mask that purrs & wears nothing
    but its claws
    loving the havoc
    of being put on" !
    K

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  29. LOVE the passion in the image here:

    "A mask that doesn't mistake the
    wanting in the eyes. Nor dims
    desire"

    Well written, Grace!!

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  30. What Kay L. Davies said! So true.

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Thanks for your visit and comments ~ I appreciate them ~