Halloween’s Mask of Comfort
By Carolyn Devonshire and Paul Callus
In a house beside the forest lives a woman and her son
He is scarred by burns and fire – hidden kept from everyone
There is land where he can wander far away from prying eyes,
But he misses friends to play with; all alone he often cries.
That is why he gets excited at the thought of Halloween
He can mix with other children without fear of being seen.
Mother picks the perfect costume that will fit his height and size
Then she adds a mask for comfort – the completion of disguise.
The boy behind the mask wishes every day was Halloween
He'd gladly offer friendship to any child who wasn't mean
But he knows that one day he will be too old for trick or treat
And he prays each morn to see the sunshine on a public street
Even though he realizes his wish may never be fulfilled
For he'd have to learn to avoid stares and let confidence build
After reading the sad tale of Frankenstein, he sheds a tear
As he can relate to Frankenstein and sees him as a peer
And so he keeps reading stories of people judged by their looks
His greatest fear is what will happen when he runs out of books
Well, well! I'm not surprised, Paul, that with Carolyn jointly at the helm of this collab - how creative, clever and the intense message sent in your joint words! Very cleverly written and expressed, my friends! Sheri / www.poetryandbeyond.net
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sheri.
DeletePaul provided the inspiration and it was a delight to work with him on this poem. Children are even more concerned about their physical appearance than adults. Children like this one always touch my heart.
Love,
Carolyn
I think we all acknowledge this to be the case in a society that promotes a false ideal model of American life....based on consumerism.....as hopeful as wall street is that we pay attention to media messages.....compassion....not just compassion! engagement with all life...is to be celebrated....wabi sabi...Japanese express.....Carolyn & Paul....wow! thanks! will remember this fine write a long time! jimbo
DeleteThank you, Jim. There are many other terrible things happening in the world today. I pray for peace and compassion every day.
DeleteMany thanks. Carolyn is great to work with...she has the ability to turn straw into gold! // paul
DeleteNice. Well-written. Great job to the both of you. Continued blessings!
ReplyDelete-MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)
Many thanks, Maurice; so glad you enjoyed our write; God bless. // paul
DeleteYou are always so kind, Maurice. You are a spiritual mentor in my life and the lives of many others. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteWell Paul and Carolyn, this one definitely pulled at my heart. I felt the sadness in each line. Thank you for highlighting the emotions of those with physical differences.
ReplyDeletePam
Dear Pam, we see people with many kinds of differences. People like this little boy deserve our compassion and our friendship. Thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteThe fact that this poem touched your heart means a lot to us; the message has been passed; thank you so much. // paul
DeleteCarolyn and Paul,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote this so well, I imagine many children must suffer the same issues of the boy in your poem.
Your friend,
David Fox
Indeed, there are many who shy away from society for fear of ridicule. Thanks for your comment, David.
DeleteThank you David; thank you for reading and enjoying; your comments are appreciated. // paul
DeleteThank you, Robert Hinshaw, for the following--
ReplyDelete"Congratulations, Carolyn and Paul, two very outstanding poets. I enjoyed your splendid verse - Bob Hinshaw
Dear Bob, We appreciate your kindness. It was a pleasure writing with Paul.
DeleteHello Robert! I am trying to catch up on writes and comments on Whispers. Thank you for your support. Writing with Carolyn has been an enriching experience. // paul
DeleteA very moving work! A wonderful collab!
ReplyDeleteTerry
Wonderful poem! Unfortunately people are judged by image & outward appearance! So many suffer such loneliness as a result! However, God sees the heart! Thanks Carolyn & Paul for your collaboration. Well done! ~Chris
DeleteMany thanks to both Terry and Christine for your lovely and encouraging comments...very much appreciated. // paul
DeleteThank you, Isha Wagner, for the following--
ReplyDeleteThis verse terribly sad but beautifully expressed with the realisation that this child will forever bear the scars so visible to onlookers. Makes one wonder if our own "sins of omission", invisible to the naked eye, were on display for all to see, then how we would hide ourselves. Carolyn and Paul, an accomplished poem. Thank you.
Yours sincerely
Isha Wagner
Dear Isha,
DeleteWhat a thought-provoking comment! Indeed, some of us would not want our "sins of omission" to be visible and used to judge us. Thanks so much for giving us a new way to look at this problem.
Best wishes,
Carolyn
Hello Isha! I like you perspective view on our collab write; very interesting. Thank you for the lovely comments. // paul
DeleteCarolyn and Paul, WOW that was a great collaboration. How sad that the world most often judges others by their looks. It really does seem to be a way of life for children who go to school now. Such mean remarks are cast at those just a little different. We sure have a big responsibility to help our children and grandchildren to see the cruelty in mean words and encourage them to speak kindly. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
ReplyDeleteLove, Charlene
Yes, Charlene, we do have a responsibility to change the way people view others who are different. Work with us on that. Thank you for you kind comments.
DeleteLove,
Carolyn
Hello dear Charlene.....thank you!! Your remarks make a lot of sense; I would add that such behaviour constitutes a type of bullying, too. Take care. // paul
DeleteThank you, Beth Winchcombe, for the following--
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea this collaborative piece is. How well these two writers blend together. It truly sums up that old adage, ' Never judge a book by it's cover.' I love it, as I expect many other readers will.
Beth.
Thank you Beth; your comments are both positive and encouraging. Take care. // paul
DeleteCarolyn and Paul an excellent poem that provokes strong feelings such sadness you feel for the child
ReplyDeleteHi Mary...thank you for liking ourpoem; your comments are appreciated. // paul
DeleteThank you, Linda Hurdwell, for the following--
ReplyDeleteVery poignant. I kept thinking and hoping he would meet a blind friend.
Dear Linda,
DeleteFrankenstein met a blind friend, so perhaps those who have physical deformities can still find friends who won't judge them by their looks.
Well commented, Linda! Thank you! God bless. // paul
DeleteThank you, Jack Horne, for the following--
ReplyDeletewonderful co-write with a strong message
Thank you Jack...somewhat belatedly, but still busy catching up on things! Glad you enjoyed our write. // paul
DeleteWow, what a well written collaboration Paul and Carolyn, hare to tell who wrote what it fits together so well. The message is so true and the imagery outstanding. Bob
ReplyDeleteWow, Robert! Thank you for the complimentary remark! So much appreciated. // paul
DeleteDear Paul and Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteThis was a very well written and touching collaboration by you both. Sadly many children, the disabled and even adults are still treated this way in some form another because they don't look the right way in today's society that promotes glitz and glamour which is sad statement in itself. A great co-write!
Love Sandra
I agree with you Sandra. Unfortunately films and tv have their own agendas and often provide misguided or one-sided concepts of life. No wonder we find some who are all for 'cleansing' of humanity. Thank you for reading and commenting. Take care. // paul
Delete