Unmasked
This face is not the one I wore yesterday. Recast as abstraction, it chases illusions that will pilot my borrowed dreams. Today I am a galaxy of song, light, color and dance.
If I turn around
will I recollect myself
or pass myself by?
A haibun for the dVerse prompt of Mardi Gras, using synonyms for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday words “follow” and “lead”. The collage is based on a Cajun Mardi Gras mask. I also made the haibun a quadrille of 44 words after being inspired by Jane and Merril’s use of this very short form.
36 responses to “Unmasked”
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- - March 18, 2019
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method two madness 
I wonder if we’d recognise ourselves if we could watch ourselves on CCTV. The collage reminds me very much of the rainbow galaxy I posted here https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2019/03/12/flower-explosion/
Your words recall it too—a burst of colour.
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There was this recent story about a man who was angry about his photo being used, but it wasn’t him: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/man-mad-over-hipster-photo_n_5c82cf2ae4b08d5b78619034
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My daughter sent me that article because we have a running joke about hipsters and how they think they are so different but they are really all the same as each other. I am also often mistaken on the street for someone else…short, brown hair, glasses…I could be many people that you know. Our uniqueness is but another illusion.
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I thought the end of the story was the most ludicrous part of it. having sent such an insulting letter of accusation to just back down and say, well no, actually it isn’t me at all—point proven 🙂
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Exactly! 🙂
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But doubtful he learned anything from it.
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No.
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Thanks Jane. I was definitely thinking of the cosmos. I sometimes look at old photos of myself, and can’t remember that person at all. I’m sure I don’t see the same thing in the mirror that others see when they look at me too.
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I find it practically impossible to think as I did twenty thirty years ago. I’d probably be terrified if I found that person taking over my mind now.
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I really like this. There’s an idea of time here, too–would we recognize our past (or future) selves? The collage is bright and colorful, but it also scares me a bit–it also could be looking out or in.
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Thanks Merril. I love masks, but they are also frightening. If we can change who we seem to be so easily, who are we?
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Yes, that’s true.
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A fabulous picture and lovely poem, Kerfe.
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Thanks Robbie. I had fun with the collage.
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I love your masks. This one is very sculptural. Excellent poem too.
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This is fabulous…there are times I don’t recognize myself…
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Thanks Ennie, I think we all have those moments.
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Yes 🙂
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Great abstract depicting the face of yesterday and the face of tomorrow. Something to think about.
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Thanks Beverly. We all have many faces.
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Maybe we are all people of many faces, it’s just that we lack the capacity to see beyond one.
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I think that’s true Bjorn.
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Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #9: Memadtwo’s latest #quadrille #haibun for #dversepoets!
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Chasing illusions and borrowed dreams is enough to make me cautious of what I do.
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You’re not cautious where it counts, Frank.
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I picture you walking a life-sized spiral, acknowledging your other-masked self with a nod as you pass by.
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Life is somewhat dizzying at times, isn’t it?
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interesting question indeed 🙂
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Thanks Jodi. I’m great at questions! Answers are something else…
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena.
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I like how you have place the eyes in the cutout eyes and the small mouth in the cutout mouth. You have us all pondering today!
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Masking both makes and reveals layers…thanks Sharon.
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The mask fits right into NOLA parading, and I like how it incorporates the elements to reinforce the idea that we are incorporeal, composed of the same matter as stars. I don’t know how to begin to answer your question though because I don’t have a strong sense of identity here on earth.
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Thanks! Most of the questions I pose have no answers…
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I was thinking about this earlier today. Why am I never learning anything? As I realized I hardly have any answers. But what you just said, and your poem, now makes me think that if the questions are still flowing in, then perhaps I’m not as dumb and doomed as I thought:) Thanks, Kerfe.
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