Sunday, February 12, 2012

CCLXXVI - Behind the Mask

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The structure of this poem is a Rondeau
I started writing this about clowns, this morning,
before I heard of Whitney Houston's death.
Seems fitting.


Behind the mask.

Behind the mask and orange hair
Behind the shoes and public flair
Behind the bright and gaudy clothes
The clown has feelings few can know.
In fact they seldom even care,
That’s not the reason why they’re there:
They came to point and laugh and stare.
They have no interest in his woes,
Behind the mask.

We are all clowns at a local fair,
Performing in a sideshow where
Others watch but are never close
Enough to sense we’re taking blows;
Few even ask what’s happening there,
Behind the mask.

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© 2012   J Cosmo Newbery
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15 comments:

  1. such a timely poem
    thoughtfully observed

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  2. And you would know about people having a public persona and a private persona because...

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  3. Profound words dear J Cosmo.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  4. I have always wondered if clowns were, inside of their masks, really lonely or sad people.

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  5. Very fitting indeed! Chillingly so.

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  6. I just heard of her death and your poem is so right, J Cosmo. No one knows (and often doesn't care) what's going on behind our public masks.

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  7. Perfect timing for this... such a great rondeau. I do think we all have worn masks at some time or the other.

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  8. Yes, lovely words and very fitting as I'm sure poor Whitney was fighting so many demons in tragically, a losing battle.

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  9. Poignant and true.
    I'll say, also, that often even those who ask don't really want the truth.

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  10. Yes, very timely.

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  11. Well done ... happy valentine's <3

    xxx

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  12. A fitting piece. Now I have to fix my pan cake... smiles...

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  13. Destined to appear at the right moment, beautiful.

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  14. Hi there, fellow clown! :-)

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