The stage is set
the masquerade begins
don’t forget your masks
as well as the elaborate costume
the charade starts as soon as you arrive
and you have to keep the facade
till it’s time to exit
don’t try to look for the real persons
you will find none
acting has become their first nature
they have forgotten their true self
blend in, in this costume drama
or you will stand exposed
and standing exposed under the arc lights
is so damn lonely!
https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2020/06/05/reenas-exploration-challenge-138-our-roles/
( Sorry Reena, I am late!)
Wow, Punam the last lines convey the heart of your poem.
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Thank you so much, Sadje. Glad you liked it.
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You’re always welcome 🙏
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I know this person and it’s so damn hard to keep up!
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It so is, Jen! Thanks so much. 💙🌷
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💜🌹
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You say it well!
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Thanks a lot, Dawn.
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You’re welcome.
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A good poem is never late
Your costume still looks great……..
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Aww! You are such a gem, Ivor! Thanks so much. 🤗💙
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I was just wondering whether you got tired, Punam, being a social justice advocate. And you are. Truly. Then I read the last two lines …
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I guess I can never tire of espousing the causes close to my heart. Thank you, Tracy, for finding me in the last lines. 🙂
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Wonderful Punam💕💕❤
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Thanks so much, dear Ishita. ❤️🌷💞
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My pleasure💕❤
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It is lonely. And beautifully penned.
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Thanks, Bo.
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Damn..this is so true Punam…
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Thanks, Mich. ❤️
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“Forgotten their true self”–superb description as to what happens for many, quite sad.
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Indeed! Thank you so much, dear L. I hope you are well. I apologise for missing your posts…I have been away from WP…I just don’t seem to have enough time!! Sigh…
Much love to you. 💞❤️
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No apologies ❤ I'm glad to see you any time, and as long as I know you're okay–I'm fine 🙂 Blessings to you! ❤
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Thank you for understanding. Glad to know you are well. Stay safe. 🙏🏼❤️
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No worries at all, ever–life is especially crazy for all of us right now. I can’t recall when I had such a long list of prompts in my draft file, awaiting my pen…overwhelming! Ah well, if they don’t get written…I’ll just start over 🙂 🙂 Take care, dear heart ❤ Know that I love you from the magical/intriguing "Afar" ❤
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Same here…the prompts keep waiting! Thank you so much for your love. Ever grateful for it. ❤️🤗💕
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I feel like I’m under an avalanche of prompts, haha! May have to take a day off 🙂 You are always welcome to and IN my heart💖💖💖
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and don’t I know it!
excellent 🙂
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Yup! Thanks so much. 🙂
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Oh Punam, this is so powerful “standing exposed under the arc lights is so damn lonely!”
It is, which is precisely why we stay behind those masks. This is so eloquent and clever – like my friend, Punam ❤️❤️
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Aww! You flatter me, Rachel. But believe me I am glowing from words of praise from my talented friend! Thank you, so much, my dear. ❤️❤️
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This is beautifully layered. The cons of wearing hearts on sleeves
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Thanks a lot, Jude. So glad you enjoyed it.
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My pleasure 🌼
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So well said. Ending 👌
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Thanks a lot, Radhika. ❤️
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Wow – lovely writing
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Thanks so much, Shantanu.
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My absolute pleasure
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Forgetting our true selves can definitely lead to loneliness – something we don’t realize until we are alone under those lights. Well penned!
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So it is, Irma. Thank you so much.
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Most welcome, dear friend!
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All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players on it. -Somebody famous
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Yup! That somebody famous said quite a few things which have stood the test of time! 😊
By the way, those lines were the challenge.
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I’d goosebumps. This is the scary reality. Powerfully portrayed.
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Aww! Thanks a lot, dear.
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Absolutely gorgeous. Setting the stage as a masquerade party is an awesome way to express.
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Glad you enjoyed it, Kritika. Thanks a lot, dear. 🌷❤️
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You are welcome 🙂 🙂 (Heart)
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It’s a pleasure to read and venture into yoir poems….your page temots me to read it all, but I deny it to end ao soon….let it remain brimful throug my sipping it slow…..
The expressions stand like thespians on the stage too…acting and watching in one mind….two faces of a charade…the vocal and the dumb….both seeking identity….both chasing light, without getting under it…unexposed image of an known face…the dramatic face of an exploited mind…
My odd mind has favoured me with a conviction that writer loses the ownership when writings become public…the readers own it…by their own impressions…like the actors on the stage, the single expression gets different forms of liberation…carefully hiding it from the arc light to keep the mask of wisdom intact…
And, my odd mind rides on your poetic expressions to land upon the stage…..baffled by belief, stunned by life, injured by emotions….and charade continues to be played…with dumbness while I keep on shouting…finally tearing down the mask and attire, I cry loud….naked under dazzling arc light….it was not me, friends, for so long you all loved or hated…it’s true me…I am just nothing more or less than this…a soul with utter impurities….a mind with better dreams….a complete packagr of life….nothing sacred, yet nothing stale too…
Love to share..
regards
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Ah! Here is your comment that was supposedly spinning in websky! It was actually languishing in the spam folder and I am so delighted I could rescue it.
I totally agree with you about the ownership of a written piece. Once I post it on my blog, it no longer belongs only to me. It belongs to the readers and they are free to listen to its whispers as they deem right.
I so enjoy your interpretations and your poetic responses. Your lines here moved me to tears. I can’t thank you enough for your generous appreciation. Stay blessed.
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Nice to hear you….and, of a miraculous rescue of the lost child of my thoughts..
My regards
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You are welcome…
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