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
