Shadow Ponders: Poetry For Those Asphodels

Plastic Stage Confessions

Now here’s a setting, large room, two people

A single spotlight glares

And both seem to bristle

The silence deepens, ‘til the first one asks:

“So you want a reason,

No more vague, just some facts?”

Quick nod from second, then a glance away

First is ever nervous,

But takes breath to say:

“Difficult to get close, had my shares of dark

I faked through, still you saw

Guess why you made a mark…

Learned to sport masks to cover the damage

Inner disfigurement

Beneath camouflage

Hiding behind these plastic shells of mine

Forgotten how to trust

Yet, I’ll let you look, Shine

Though have patience, there’s several, several layers…

There, I’m ready, observe

Such work by my carvers

Look closer, see the scars here and there

Trophies of my troubles

Troubles I humbly wear

In the ways I walked, in the ways I talked

Oh so subtle, but there

Free to behold, unlocked

Do they hurt? Not really, unless they’re pricked

It’s more the shame that pains

Feels as if acid licked

But please don’t pity, please don’t regard me so

Pocket your sympathy

Respect me for my know”

Second interrupts, to show latter yearns

A grasps of hands, a squeeze

Before fast sudden turns

Acceptance or not? It remains unseen

With the lights fading out

To an end comes our scene