Mask: Poem by Guestblogger

BorninNovember ~ Etsy

~Mask~

Somewhere behind this smile

Lies a person.

Somewhere behind this smile

Lies a person in pain.

Somewhere behind this smile

Lies a person in agony.

Somewhere behind this smile

Lies a person in fear.

Somewhere behind this smile

Lies a person crying inside.

Somewhere behind this smile

Lies a person who feels the judgment.

Somewhere behind this smile

Lies a person.

*

Would you think differently

If the smile was gone?

If you could see the pain?

If you could feel their agony?

If you could feel their fears?

If you could see their tears?

If you knew of all the harsh words?

*

Sometimes the person you see

Is not the person at all.

Sometimes the smiles you see

Are nothing more than a mask.

Sometimes what you are allowed to see

Is only the illusion of what they want you to see.

Sometimes what you see

Is nothing more than what’s allowed to be.

*

You see, we live in a world…

A world that forgets what really should be.

A world that forgets how unique we all were meant to be.

A place where we place value on things that will fade,

Instead of loving the things that will stay.

*

So we create this mask.

We hide behind it.

Not allowing our lives to be the way He created.

At times we take it off.

But too often we leave it on.

Trying to live up to an expectation

Of so many things we are not.

*

It’s funny how we are the first to say,

“It’s ok, tomorrow is another day.”

Only to punish ourselves for needing that extra day.

*

You see, when you deal with illness: Chronic, Terminal, Disabilities…

You, at times, see yourself as the world has defined.

Instead of seeing yourself as HE has defined.

*

My challenge for you…

Take off that mask, even just for a moment, a day or two.

Allow yourself to be

Exactly how God designed you to be.

Don’t feel ashamed.

Don’t feel you are anything less.

You are simply the Best!

*

For those who love you,

For those who care,

They will be there.

They will care.

No matter what Mask you decide to wear.

-written by Kristen Braatz

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Kristen Braatz is a writer of poetry, loving mother, Chronic Pain survivor, and has other chronic illnesses. She is involved in her church and in the online chronic pain support community. Two of her favorite passages are Isaiah 45:9-10 & Isaiah 40:28-31. I am so grateful she is the first guest contributor to A Body of Hope!

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BorninNovember ~ Etsy

“At The End of The Day” by artist BorninNovember on Etsy.

Please visit her extraordinary shop to purchase original artwork and prints and view her fine art collection on Flickr.