A gogyohka for the dverse clown prompt.
we resent masks
take to the streets in protest
I wonder if it is because we already wear them
we keep our sorrows hidden
all pagliacci behind the smiles
Vesti la giubba
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A gogyohka for the dverse clown prompt.
we resent masks
take to the streets in protest
I wonder if it is because we already wear them
we keep our sorrows hidden
all pagliacci behind the smiles
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Jane Dougherty Writes 
Oh, I love the comparisons in this piece, Jane. It’s absolutely lovely. I feel this is a really great perspective on what is so common in society–the fact that we hide our emotions behind a smile. It’s truly sad that we wear these “masks.” Beautiful poem delineating that facet of reflection and hiding behind that type of veil. ❤
Thank you. We are very good at posturing, obsessed with superficiality and appearance, but unable to dredge up feelings of compassion and humanity. It’s more than hiding behind the smile, it’s making the smile replace intelligent thought and true empathy.
I hate this type of mask more than the surgical anti-corona type, which is a necessary evil at the moment. But hiding behind smiles is probably one of the main reasons there is so much stigma attached to mental illness – we are all afraid to show our true feelings, or deal with anyone else’s. You illustrated this skilfully and succinctly here.
Thank you. We have become a species of hypocrites. Even when we rant on the social media we use an avatar.
Already wearing masks, so why bother. Loved it.
Cheers 🙂
More sharp social commentary, Jane. In a world ruled by illusions, nothing is scarier to the puppet masters than reality. We are trained from a very early age to wear our masks.
Yes, you’re right. As Rob said, it’s the physical masks people get shirty about, not seeming to notice that they are probably hiding their real feelings all the time without one.
P.S. I had to look up what your title meant. “Put on the costume” Very clever!
It’s from the opera. The song Tears of a Clown used it too. They were so smart those Motown songwriters.
Ah, thank you for the info, and yes they were 🙂
We don’t share our children’s tastes in music, but they are all grateful for being brought up on Motown, which even they think is the greatest and they’d never have known about it with their parents’ indoctrination 🙂
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #7: Jane Dougherty’s latest #gogyohka for dVersePoets #TuesdayPoetics!
Thanks for reblogging, Frank 🙂
We are all folk of many masks. Ironic that so many shun the one that may save lives.
We’re good at irony. Look at the big fat men with guns and blood on their hands claiming to be the saviours of the environment.
You are so sharp Jane 💜
I don’t feel sharp. But I love Italian opera 🙂
💜
Reblogged this on willowdot21 and commented:
So true, so topical
Thank you for reblogging, Willow!
Its a pleasure 💜
BLAMMO! could ya be more current? Brilliant.
Hypocrisy is always topical 🙂 Thanks Ron 🙂
We have all invested in those masks… we cannot hide them with yet a layer
People have been wearing masks for thousands of years and for many reasons, from stone, papier maché, wood, gold… and now here we are with the smallest of accoutrements, a simple piece of cloth, and some of us are protesting about having to wear them, while others use them as a fashion accessory. Your little mask gogyohka makes a big statement, Jane!
Thanks Kim. It’s pathetic, isn’t it? A good dose of the Third Reich would set some of them straight.
kaykuala
It is an artificial thing imposed by circumstances. Hides the smile that those others want to see. Wonderful write Jane!
Hank
I think we’d all like to see some more sincere smiles, to be honest. There’s an awful lot of expensive dentistry flashed about that means nothing at all.
Thank you, Hank!
Well done, Jane. We live in a world of masks – often hiding emotions, but just as often hiding intent.
Yes, I agree. It isn’t just the smiling through sadness, it’s the smile that means I don’t really give a shit but I’m going to pretend I do.
As I was reading your poem it made it very apparent to me that there is a connection between clowns and the people who we all are now wearing masks.
To communicate we have to be able to see facial expressions. Cover half our face and we lose part of our humanity. I’m not going to rant about the burqa, but I could 🙂
Yes, there definitely is a point to that tradition and I don’t think it is to commemorate women.
Shut up, keep out of sight, know your place. And it works.
So sadly true
Maybe when the big shake-up comes, global women’s rights will be part of it.
Wishful thinking I think. At least most countries may be moving toward a more equal system but some of the countries that aren’t may never switch.
Any country with a religion in charge is going nowhere but backwards.
scary but true
It’s about time we found something saner to base our society on.
What? than orange men? Hahaha
It shouldn’t be difficult 🙂
Wait, what happened to the Oompa Loompas at the chocolate factory? Maybe Charlie can introduce them to their leader! hahahaha
If Charlie’s looking for a job…
Or a country being led by an orange man who doesn’t know the truth if it kicked him in the ass?
He’s religious too, so he says.
Yeah, what is it called, Satanism?
I don’t think he’s intelligent enough to follow any rules. Golf must be REALLY simple.
Well with 18 holes you can fake it maybe, but he won’t be caught trying mini golf, too many bystanders.
Yes, if you have a kid posted at every hole to kick the ball closer, it makes winning easier.
bahahahaha
“we keep our sorrows hidden” … behind our steamed-up glasses. 🙂
We all have our methods 🙂
Yes, we wear masks … many kinds. Your poem is well composed … I enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you!