Poem of the week: Peeling Away by Michael E. Duckwall

Good morning, and welcome to the first poem of the week in a while! I took a slight break and am thrilled to return to posting by sharing an incredible piece by Michael E. Duckwall! Check it out below and make sure to look up his books on Amazon, and check out the open mic he hosts in Scottsburg, Indiana, the last Saturday of every month. This month’s is March 29th, from 4pm-6pm with sign ups starting at 3:30pm, and the featured poet Lee Pennington and featured musician Tommy Bays.

X-Rayed Chaos By Michael E. Duckwall

Peeling Away

By Michael E. Duckwall

I've known my whole life, something was wrong.

Not per se wrong, just different.

Now It's time I peel the mask away.

Not caring what others think, what others say.

I've let judgment hold me down for far too long.

It's time to embrace my thoughts, as strange as I am.

It's time to stop wearing this mask to please others.

I've always known, I just never let it show.

Here take a peek, see my face, these scars

this past I wear. Parts of me the mask was covering.

Me? Can I be?

Judgment, I could lose it all.

Yet this life, finite. I only have myself

this body, for so long.

My soul needs to see, truth in the mirror.

Not a mask, no more.

I've known my whole life, this day would come.

The reward outweighs the risk.

With my mask removed, will you still love me like this?

Different from the rest. I only hope that you see

truth in the mirror. If not, let's risk it all

together.