What hides behind the smiles?
The vacant staring eyes?
Aren’t we tired, so tired,
of wearing masks?

We stare into the mirror and
what do we see looking back at us?
There living inside we see the mystery,
of the imposter who we do not trust.
The eternal fight rages ever on,
to be who we were created to be.
An endless war wages in our brains,
could we be more than what we believe?

We must stand firm and unafraid,
for we are not meant to be fools.
We toss away the sweetest poison,
of false truths and the ridicule.
We have a destiny and a mission,
a path less traveled that beckons us there.
We must rise like a phoenix from the ashes,
knowing we are not the disguises we wear.

What hides behind the smiles?
The vacant staring eyes?
Aren’t we ready, so ready,
to take off the masks?

~Mark Schutter ©2016

This poem was inspired by my hope that in 2017 I can continue to remove some of the many masks I wear that hide me from others. To be more authentic and real, more vulnerable and accepting, of myself and others. To not live under the shadows others expectations. My wife and I have decided that 2017 will be a year of preparation for us. Preparing our hearts, minds and bodies for the future of all that is good and available to us each day. Now, I leave the ball in your court, how will you live in 2017?

Happy New Year 2017!