Masked Melancholy
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Jaden Ogwayo-Davey, Grade 9, Melrose High School
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Poetry
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2019
Excellence Award in the 'Inspired 2019' competition
I'm a collector of masks. Masks of emotions I store in my mind
In anxiety and worry and fear I bask
Yet these masks are stolen; they don’t fit, they’re not mine
Every remark heard, every comment made, requiring a new mask
In my mental wardrobe, I ruffle to find a mask; a response
My mouth is my gallery, syllables model my masks on oral display
Anger
Wrong mask; a wardrobe malfunction
Happiness? Joy? Dismay?
Despite my efforts, the darkest masks want to stay
I unsuccessfully try describing thoughts I'm thinking but
I’m sinking