shaded eyes

by Cherry C. Thelmo, Virgo - Not entered

i dare not look into your eyes.
i am scared of what i might see:
seemingly never-ending battles
of people long oppressed
risking lives and all
to be free;
rage and anger building up
inside the hearts
of comrades hurt and betrayed;
flowing tears of a distraught mother,
sister, wife,
or lover
for a beloved lost
in the midst of war.

i dare not look into your eyes
for they speak truths
i may not have the courage
to face:
of feelings i have long 
put aside and left
for time to forget;
dreams i thought
lost in the struggle
to liberate others
instead;
love i long for
but know cannot
exist and remain between
two people separated
by vast lands and sea.

i dare not look into your eyes
and see the lies
i've skillfully made:
that i'm strong and able to control
the reins of a wild stallion;
that i can forget 
and remain cold
and indifferent to the pain;
that i am made of stone
and cannot possibly
be broken down
and shattered.

i dare not look into your eyes
for fear that i will realize
that i am only human
after all.

Reason for writing:

    I was inspired to submit my poem, "shaded eyes", because  I think its message applies to everyone. It reminds us all that we cannot foreverwear our masks (defenses), especially when we are confronted by them.
    

Birth sign: Not entered
Date created: 1996-11-28 03:09:58
Last updated: 2021-03-03 14:39:09
Poem ID: 46127

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