As a retired English teacher, I love using metaphors in my writing because they come up naturally. I also love the power of metaphor and words; therefore, metaphor ramps up my poetry with imagery and connectedness!
What in the world is a metaphor?
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them.”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor
So, in two poems I compare serenity with some natural settings I love and wearing an emotional mask as a defense mechanism. Metaphors help readers connect emotionally, sensually and intellectual with the comparison.
See what you think. . .
What Does Serenity Look Like? June 21, 2020 In the midst Of the coronavirus pandemic Storm, I wondered, “What does serenity look like?” A hazy mountain scene Calm and quiet Seated on a rock Connected to the grandeur Of Mother Nature A lazy beach setting Reclining in the rhythmic waves Carefree Undulating with The timeless rhythm Of our world Our secluded mountain home Nestled in piñon pine trees Sweet meditative music Serenading me In the background Meaningful work Done by Lin and me Gardening Writing Life lived together Serenity’s many faces Some fanciful memories Of better times One a realistic experience In the here-and-now! Peace reigns in my heart When I stay present Seek God Seek truth Seek myself! A sweet flavor on my tongue An aroma of heaven Come down to earth A beckoning sound Of my God’s gentle calling A touch of my God Through nature Peace Silence Sound Serenity lights on my shoulder Wraps me in a cocoon Of tranquility and goodwill Dances my heart To a new rhythm, A melody of love! Then it’s gone! Quickly! Quietly Without warning The world roars And scares it away! The coronavirus surges And wipes out any remembrance! Cases Hospitalizations Deaths Then in the quiet The dark Again, serenity gently returns Ready to protect Me once again. I anticipate its return once again!
A couple days ago, I started reading Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-Making by John Fox. I realized my connection to wearing a mask—I did it for years but a different type. The raging mask war fueled this poem.
I’ve Worn a Mask for Years!
July 3, 2020
Wearing a mask
Isn’t a new concept
To me
For years,
I wore a mask of
Deception
Pretense
Illusion
Invisible
Illusive
All-encompassing
A veneer of acceptance
Compliance
Fitting in!
You didn’t know
No one knew me—
Only me!
I smiled,
when asked and replied,
I responded,
“I’m fine,"
while I covered bruises on both arms
From my first husband’s attention
The night before!
Yes, I smiled a mask
For you to see.
In my heart, I winced,
As that invisible mask
Suffocated me,
But I continued to smile
To wear it.
I lived in quiet desperation
Behind that mask.
Before recovery,
I donned it unconsciously
Early in the morning
A regular part of
My attire
Each night,
In the loneliness of
My room,
I ripped it off,
Tossed in a corner with all the
Other defenses I had learned
Over the years.
I hated it!
It smothered me
My truth
My voice
It hindered me
Like fetters
causing me
To stumble and fall.
At times,
The wise seer
Looked beyond the smile,
The mask
caught a glance
of the true Larada
and called me forth!
That’s exactly what happened in recovery!
Today, after years of recovery and healing,
My God melted the piles of masks
into a fine powder
that blew away
with the slightest breeze!
But now, because of the coronavirus,
I must wear a mask
proudly!
No refusal
No explanation
Yes, I’m familiar with
Wearing a hidden mask
For years
Today it’s visible
For all to see
It’s not a coping skill any longer
An invisible shield
An emotional blockade
Now it’s vital
lifesaving
controversial
appropriate
It’s a message
To anyone who sees me
That I care
About you
About me
About we!
Today I proudly
Wear a mask
How about you?
Metaphors, serenity, masks—tie them all together with imagery and you have poetry. And in poetry, I have found myself. I hope you to do, too!
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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