we all wear it
the mask
a smile or a dance
laughter or music
scars hidden
we don’t talk about it
for a conversation
it’s not always the best topic
loved ones in the past
whom we sealed in a bottle
because they hurt us
and we haven’t let go
or we let them fall
and they left for another land
or they hurt themselves
and we could have done something about it
we don’t talk about it
the things that pained us
the sadness we thought we buried
that comes out when we don’t notice
the mistakes we have made
the loneliness we feel in bed
the nights we toss and turn
because the mask has fallen
the wounds are not transparent
not disguising its existence
we don’t talk about it
but we all wear it
the mask
it seems like a taboo
to talk about you
or me
or him
or her
or being lost again
we have been taught
what’s positive or negative
what’s strong and what’s weak
to snap out of it
so we wear a mask
so the things we are afraid of
won’t be brought up
so we won’t be blamed again
we wear a colorful mask
when we are hollow all day
suffering in our own way
but we don’t talk about it
afraid to be judged
afraid to cause harm
afraid to be exposed
afraid
just afraid
the mask covers so we don’t have to face
we all wear the mask
pretending to be okay
at a dinner party
friends’ gathering
important jobs
or maybe in a pub
characters we play
on this stage we call life
we should start talking about it
we should stop the judging and start understanding
start loving
start forgiving, you and me
we should leave people better than we found them
not let them fade
behind the mask
we should start talking about it
we should be okay with not being okay
with every hey are you okay
it should be a question full of love and respect
not a social gesture that’s a bit awkward
we should make others comfortable
feel safe
feel less alone
because in the end we are all the same
we are together in this place called life
and we should stop wearing the mask
by being the one that starts loving
Butterfly Poetry 