Halloween- Shed the mask.

In African American Lit in High School we read this poem (ooo-oop Johnnie Noble)

We Wear the Mask

WE wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!


Is there a mask that you need to break? Is there someone or something inside of you that you are hiding because you are afraid people will not see you if you take off your mask, or they won't like what they see? I'm letting you know you can take off the mask.. by being you you will attract people who will love you fully and completely. Showing who you really are will bring closer relationships to you with those who love you...


I thought about it and I dont think I can wear a mask anymore. I try my best to be exactly who I am in every instance.. Not that I say everything I want to say... or do everything I want to do, but I don't fake or pretend or act as if I feel a way I don't. I favor silence. I ask help when I need to and I love myself because of it. I used to be an impostor, content with people just seeing me for a wild girl who made folks laugh and made insane comments... and i'm still that... but I am also not afraid to say, I learn things all the time and I love jeopardy and trivia, mensa puzzles and museums... and I'll do that all day.. without shame. I like to read... and hate watching videos on the internet if I can help it. I like geeky stuff.. and thinking of new ideas.. even if they make no sense cause why not? I got a brain, I may as well use it. I'm super sensitive and very passionate and I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I love deeply and can't keep anything a secret when it comes to how I feel... I love hard.. .and some people have told me to cover it up and hold back... but that's just me and I don't want someone who likes the mask.. i want someone who likes me.. so I'm good with that... but I also understand nothing is perfect.. and who I am is a work in progress..

if there is anything you need to share to help shed your mask... i'm here.

2 comments:

b.goody said...

Good post. Ms. Noble's a Soror? Had no idea!

Tiko said...

Love, love, love it! :)

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