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The mask she wears to hide her bruises, her pain, her distress from everyone, to hold up her head and go through life… can you not see it?
She is bemused. It is startling to see everyone wear the mask, to talk about it, to ask which one is needed?
The mask is not something that is new to her, you see…
She chuckles at the questions you ask, Because she has always worn a mask The mask that hid the bruise, Made possible for you to ignore the abuse The mask let you imagine she was fulfilled Inspite of her thousand dreams killed It showed none of her pain So you needed to take no blame The mask with the fake smile pasted Hiding the emptiness that left her wasted Covering what you wouldn’t hear, The mask was her live saver. So behind a façade she would shrink, Pushing herself to the brink. Staring at a deep abysss As all truth you would dismiss Today, she lets her thoughts meander, To what she would often wonder. When she was left with no without, Looking inwards resolved her doubt She saw through the cloak that you wear, Of control, of a society beyond repair She recognised how you played your part With blinkers; and the mask on your heart
Bemused, she smiles. Masks, or no masks, she still has the capacity to feel, and the courage to believe. Do you, dear world, dear society, have the same?
Can you still smile beneath your mask?
If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed or suicidal, here are some of the helplines available in India. Please call. Aasra, Mumbai: 022-27546669 Sneha, Chennai: 044-2464 0050 Lifeline, Kolkata: 033-2474 4704 Sahai, Bangalore: 080–25497777 Roshni, Hyderabad: 040-66202000, 040-66202001
Image source: johnhain on pixabay
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