masks we wear (haibun)

Masque Venise

Masks we wear

Years ago, working in home-care, I cried for patients who had become my friend...saying goodbye was the hardest. Sometimes I had given a patient a bath and got to the office to learn he had died.  Working those two years I felt like a daisy. Every death a petal fell, I had to leave for my flower was slowly dying.  A colleague, however, told me to encourage me, "Just think of the fan club that awaits you when your time will come!"

We all wear masks at some time in our daily lives. At work I appear strong, confident and even cheerful at times. I joke about love and lifetoo.  Callers on our youth-line, suffering abuse tear my heart in pieces but being a seasoned employee, I rarely show “mon moi”.  I vent in my writing, cry with my words and my keyboard has been drenched many times with tears.  But we do what we must do, right?  This prompt made me think of how many “pretend” to be happy, strong and content.

And then I thought of people who struggle with violence, poverty, confusion and sexual abuse

mothers comfort,

always smile despite bruises,

try filling pantries.

fathers show strength

hardy,brave, work tirelessly

tears stain their pillows

sexual orientation

straight safe veneer
closet mask

teen giggles

listening to rock and roll

sleepless with fear

sleepless with fear

twilight visits with moonbeams

lust crazed adult.

© Tournesol 2014

Carpe Diem Haiku Kai  #544 Mask/Masque