Thank you for inviting me, Tina. Here are my selections.
From @_Monocle_
I never knew
if a sleeping face
was truly unmasked
or is sleep instead
the perfect disguise?
I chose this because it asks an elegant question: are we truly only ourselves when we are asleep? There is a delightful use of conceit in this poem. There are many layers to this gogyohka so simply expressed.
From @verdantcat
the eyes
windows to one’s soul
so I wear a mask
made of golden strands
and interlaced hands
I chose this because I could picture the mask. The poem draws on shared knowledge to create a beautiful image of a traditional mask.
From @_Monocle_
When you come
your last mask falls away
but I’m lust-blind
just when I have it
I miss my chance to see.
I choose this one for its simplicity about how lust can colour our perceptions and the almost lament that we can never experience anything totally.
From @AislingWeaver
My composure?
Naught by a mask.
Crawl in my skin,
feel my truth,
whisper me yours.
The phrase ‘naught by mask’ really appealed to me.
From @Aphrodite44
Shadow forced
into a prison built of masks
longing for release
and just one look
into my eyes
This is superbly crafted poem, which has a lovely self-reflexiveness.
From @mwwise
Holes for eyes
hole for mouth
holes for air
voids in the mask
of the uncommitted
This has a gothic quality; the image is horrifying and reminded me of T.S. Elliot’s The Hollow Men and also for the current obsession with zombies.
From @tinanguyen
the plum wine
the sake
the maiko’s mask
never
slips off
I love this because it evokes the homeland of this poetic form.
From @amoz1939
Laughing so hard
paper mask
fell off
revealing
twinkling smiling eyes
I chose this one for its sheer exuberance. It made me laugh.
From @LadyDarkrage
Feathers and leaves
velvet and satin ribbons
truth and lies
we all design the masks we wear
to hide from the world
I chose this because it conjures the image of a traditional mask.
In case you missed it, here are Tina’s selections again.
[…] More? I asked @marousia to gather her favorite mask poems. You can find her selections here. […]
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by marousia, marousia, Tina Nguyen, marousia, Tina Nguyen and others. Tina Nguyen said: What's under the mask? Read @marousia's #Gpoem week 13 favorites on my blog at http://bit.ly/GpoemMask2. […]
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