“Be yourself” is
what they say
Let your mask
fall to the ground
(don’t be afraid)
watch all pretenses crumble
yet if they don’t like
what lies beneath
be aware of the
curve balls of judgment
Where is the truth
in their words?
Each syllable’s tone
sounds compassionate
We could be tone deaf
or maybe we simply
hope for the best
Lauren Scott © 2014
Photo: Google images
(I’ve dropped the mask and have been hurt.
I’ve dropped the mask and
have been blessed with good friends.
I still believe in “being yourself” no matter what;
letting your heart lead the way and hoping for the best.)
:♥ ♥ ♥
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 
Why do you think I don’t let anyone in anymore. Why I don’t allow people to see the real me
These are thoughts that have entered many minds, Al…
So many people like it.
One of the reason why I only allow a few people in, the rest….
I know, me, too, Deb, and I’m grateful to be in your circle and you in mine. Hugs!
A very deep and meaningful poem Lauren, and I could talk for ages about this. I keep telling myself I am who I am, take me or leave me. But everyone wants to be liked don’t they? To be honest I still sometimes find myself being a different ‘me’ for different people and I hate that I do this. I never feel comfortable with it.oh I could go on and on…! 😊 ❤️ Xx
I completely understand how you feel and have often felt the same way, Chris. There’s a quote I’ve seen that reads, “the more I am myself, the more people I lose.” Well, something like that..The logic is to be who we are and those who accept us will stay and those who don’t, it’s their loss. 🙂 Easy to say, but more easy to want to please and be accepted by everyone. Yes, everyone wants to be liked…it’s something to think about and discuss forever and ever! I like you the way you are. Thanks so much for your personal comment and kind words. I almost deleted this after posting. 🙂 Hugs! xoxo
Im glad you didnt delete, it’s something worth a lot of thinking about ❤️ Xx
I don’t trust a whole lot people for fear of being hurt………… great poem my friend. ♥
I know, it’s hard to trust for that reason, so I say just listen to our hearts…thanks for your kind words, Renee! Big hugs!
I agree Lauren. ♥
: naively hope for the best! It keeps us going! 🙂
It sure does and I deleted “naively” because I thought later that when we hope for the best, we do it intentionally without assuming the outcome will be in our favor.
Thanks for your comment, Marina, and have a great night! xx
This is exquisite I love it. So grounding and empowering.
Thanks so much, Kim..I had these thoughts, wrote the poem, posted it, then almost deleted it. But my daughter encouraged me to leave it, so I did…:) oh what we go through sometimes after clicking that silly publish button. 🙂
I know I hold my breath and wonder what people really think. But we shouldn’t care. We write for ourselves? Right? 🙂
You’re right, but still…:)
I know after all we blog.
🙂
Much to ponder there. I liked the illustration picture too.
I know, Ian…this is one that could be discussed over and over again. Thanks for stopping by and I liked that mask, too! 🙂
I love your poem, but for those who keep it in, time will prove it’s not worth it, because it causes resentment. I, of course, am looking at life from a much greater age point than you. Once upon a time, I too kept it all in.
Thanks, Michelle, and I agree with you about resentment coming later. I’m not sure we’re that far apart in age, though. I think with each decade brings more confidence for me, but I do take two steps back sometimes, too.
We all learn by falling down, I hate the masks people use to come close to you and then suddenly BOOM!! They are different once their purpose is fulfilled. It’s sad how people can be so shallow and selfish.
A very good piece indeed.
-Naima
Yes, you bring a new perspective, Naima, and I agree with you. I don’t like selfish people either, who have motives then drop a bomb on you with their true identities. That’s where the hurt comes into play and it’s not fun, at all. Thanks so much for your comment and complement. xx
You’re welcome, Lauren 🙂
-Naima
There’s some old song about the many masks/faces we wear. I think we are different with different people, even if we don’t mean to be.Many we’s make up us.
I’ve heard that song, too, Binky, and your perspective is awesome. Even if it’s not intentional, sometimes we do wear different masks for different people. Thanks for commenting!
Another one to have me pondering. Masks seem to be necessary sometimes but there’s so much to be said for feeling safe enough to strip them away.
I know, Jean..this one can be discussed over and over again…and I completely agree with you..thanks for your comment and have a great Friday!
This situation/problem is what one of what my schoolmasters (yep: schoolmasters; how (a) British and (b) passé is that? ) used to call “an old chestnut”. He is undoubtedly dead by now as he was pretty old when I was among his pupils. I guess “Gambling” was another tilt at it. We battle onthough, don’t we. 🙂
I love “schoolmasters” Ben, even though I’m not British and this sure is “an old chestnut” isn’t it? However, as you said, we battle on…through the different masks we wear and as we shed them, obtaining vulnerability, as well…have a good weekend and thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
Have a good one yourself.
For me a new Doctor Who episode this evening is certainly a firm step in the right direction. 🙂
I’ve never watched it, but my son loves it! 🙂 Enjoy! The beginning of moving our daughter back into her college apt. for her senior year begins today and will finalize next weekend. The fun begins, but it’s been great having her home for the summer!
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Lauren,
That was so powerful… As Oscar Wilde would say: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” 🙂
Serioulsy, a great poem!. Best wishes and happy weekend to you, Aquileana 😀
Thanks so much, Aquileana, for your wonderful comment! I love the quote, too; so true and if only we could all be secure enough to follow it through. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend, too! ♥
This is so powerful actually thought provoking. Sometimes we have to,to hide our feelings.
The You behind the mask is as beautiful as can be. Anyone too dull-witted to recognize that is undeserving of your company, and good riddance to them. You have too much joy and beauty to share to be slowed down by millstone people.
❤
K
Wow! How do I respond to this amazing comment that boosted my self esteem? Thanks, K, very much! We all wear masks at sometime in our lives and I could easily say the same things about you, too! Hugs! ♥
The bearing of a mask a mere tendril
Of deceit as illusory fashion
A muted voice guttural distraction
Holding court to knaves of folly
Wonderful poetic reply, Don! Thanks for sharing! Wearing a mask isn’t the most honest thing to do, but I feel most of us do wear them and they vary depending on who we’re with at the moment..if only we could all be comfortable in our skin to simply be ourselves and let it go…
Thank you Lauren. Yes, we all adorn the mask and I guess in many respects it is part of emotional response. We see it often in our social circles and the community at large. In professional life we see it all the time whether to cloak the aggrievance of external distraction or otherwise. In my career I did a lot of public speaking to large groups of clients and regardless of what was going on in our personal lives, when we were working we were “on” to the extent that we showed and voiced our best personna and in control at all times…part of workplace decorum.
In our relationships the mask may be more prominently evident than anywhere else. Humans play too many games. Being comfortable in our own skin is largely a matter of self-confidence and I see a lot of people who don’t feel that confidence…or, that they are forever self-conscious that people want them to be something different than they really are. We humans are a highly critical lot and very reactive at that, more suited to an outward chameleon morphing based on who we are interacting with or exposed to.
…think I sense another poem coming on! 😉
This is an excellent poem, Lauren. Sometimes wearing a mask seems all too necessary. XO ❤
Thanks so much, Diane! I still appreciate you sharing this on fb and yes, unfortunately, there are times where wearing a mask is more comfortable…Happy Friday and weekend! ♥ xo
Wonderful poem Lauren.. I wonder how many hide their true selves behind the masks they wear?.. Some times we have to drop the Mask and just be ourselves.. we wear so many, A Wife, a Mother, a sister, a daughter, a carer, a joker, a lover, a poet, a writer.. a painter, a gardener, a DIY er!.. lol… the list is endless.. Sometimes we just have to shout out hey I AM ME!…. You can tell I have worn many a mask LOL.. Then when you drop the mask.. it may take a while to search deep to find where the Real ME disappeared too! 😉 But when you find the face behind the mask and make friends.. 😀 its Party time. hehe.. 🙂 Great poem.. which evoked another layer of peeling back 🙂 haha… Enjoy your day Lauren.. Love Sue
Sue, you made me smile and laugh, thank you! Loved your comment and agree with all you said. I’m happy to know YOU! Happy Monday! Hugs! xo
Like wise Lauren 🙂
No. I might be hurt and you may not like the real me! 🙂
That’s probably how most of us feel! 🙂 I’m sure it’s not true about you, though! 🙂
Reblogged this on A Woman's Wisdom and commented:
I rather like this 🙂
Thanks again for reblogging this poem; I’m so happy you liked it. What’s funny is I almost deleted it after publishing…self doubt began creeping in, but my daughter encouraged me to keep it. 🙂
Very evocative and moving poetry. It really resonated with me, but I will say that as I get older, I’m willing to let the mask drop more often. Time is short, life is about risks, and the reward can be great – three cliches, but true.
Thanks so much, Noelle, and I’m basically in the same place as you. Being in my early 50’s, the mask drops more often for all those true cliche reasons you mentioned. Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!
Lauren 🙂
You’re most welcome, I’ll be dropping in on a regular basis!