by Patricia Parker

Created on: September 29, 2008

We hide behind our secret masks, we all do everyday.

We say what we don't feel and feel what we don't say.

The masks are our protection from daily bouts of stress

We need to change our facial masks when under life's duress

Our real face may show its pain when we are feeling blue

But use the happy smiling mask and it will see you through

It's on your shelf, it takes up room

But helps dispel the fates of doom

Don't feel it isn't fair to have a substitute on call

No one has ever said that you were born to face it all

Use your masks, and use them well, they'll save your life one day

And when your life has settled down, you can toss them all away.

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