the shell

the surface, the outer shell
extended into the world
in self portrayal
we show that which will please
gain us credit, buy us influence
in a watching, calculating society
we nurture our true being
deep within, safe from the judgment
of the others of our kind
in childhood we soon feel
the slicing whip of humiliation
dispensed by those who gain pleasure
in the torment, the pain of others
the sweet faces of young innocence
hide the cruelties of which
only a child is capable
we ache with the shame, the mortification
soon, we withdraw, a little at a time
learning to hide the truth, building our mask
we absorb the lessons of protection
to weep inside and let the mask smile
when we feel fear, we master the snarl
and the world in ignorance, steps back
we find the strength to laugh
when we would hide in shame
we may hide our truth so well
in time, we might believe the mask is all
the gentleness of our humanity
lost through time
the softness of our hearts
lost forever, an absence not noted

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All materials Copyright © 2004-2008 by Eryll Oellermann