When you live behind a mask

It is quite a hard task

Knowing things are falling apart

Needing help but you don’t know how to ask

Instead you give the impression

That life is a great bliss

Because you don’t want to risk

The façade of happiness

In which you now do bask

There is solace in the bondage of illusions

With rehearsed scenes of imitations

Geared towards the preservation of one’s reputation

But in reality, you are just playing along

Because this is a reality play played so well

Where the smiles are all staged

And everything is scripted

Yet it’s difficult to tell

What’s real from what’s actual

Never breaking character, so realistic so natural

All Oscar worthy performances, if I were asked

The actors are so gifted

Living life behind a mask

It wasn’t always like this

For at some point or another

From a time not so long ago

There must have been some genuine authenticity

Before it stage left exit

And on in its stead to reprise the role

Came it’s understudy

An actor/ress by the name of Pretense

The storyline is a tragedy at heart

A play in four parts

A fiction like costumes

That one might put on to gain attention

Gratitude or sympathy depending on the audience

Invoking applause for the cause

Applauding the cast

For keeping up the farce

Of living behind a mask

There is no character development

No growth, no meaningful change in their arc

They are in the same place

As they were at the start

In a sort of mirrored mirage

They continue living the deceit

Tethered to the imagined versions of themselves

In the charade of comfort that they think it provides

Living behind the mask for so long

They start to believe the mask is their real face

And the theatre their homeplace

Since the show has been on centre stage

© A.Williams, 1/23/2020

#Poetry

#Poem

#LivingBehindAMask

#MakeBelieve

#TheatreofDrama

The other day I was catching up with my bro who I haven’t seen much

And he was telling me about his long time sweetheart crush

And how they have been good friends since high school days

Over that time he’s been receiving mixed signals so he’s conflicted

And doesn’t know where he stands with her

- Whether he’s in the driver’s seat or just a back seat passenger

“Maybe that’s why they are called ‘crushes’ ”, I said

It’s not meant to be and to add insult to injury,

You fall in too deep and get too attached and even worst

When your crush finds someone else and you feel hurt as if your world’s all ‘crushed’

Maybe he was the one she needed but unfortunately to her, she doesn’t

I ain’t saying that she curved him or friend zoned him

All I am saying, is that she doesn’t treat him much different than her cousins

She only paid him attention after she got another heart-breaking rejection

Aggrieved, he admitted that ‘Yeah, this friendship did have its benefits’

“Just that it was totally one-sided and only she got the profits”

In this crazy old world, nice guys do finish last

You never figure as a part of her future or her present just a friend from the past

It’s even worse if you are shy

You will never be considered worthy of a try

How many times have you heard,

“I wish I met a guy like you” from that one special girl?

Then stop to wonder if you are too plain or too orthodox

Because you’re the guy she just described. Clearly, she must be a walking paradox

You are there by her side after all her fallouts and messy breakups

Telling her how to spot a guy’s excuses and his lies

I told him quite frankly that, “she is just like Kobe”

Never willing to pass and only wants you to collect the rebounds

She knows that you will be there to sympathise when she has her breakdowns

And it doesn’t matter how many Brownie points you’ve amassed and hoarded

Your hopes of being a duo are a far cry and your fate has long been decided

Inevitably to you she will turn a blind eye

And give a next guy an undeserving lucky bye,

A second, third and even a fourth try

Even though she has nothing to lose

She still refuse and would rather choose

A next ex with another lame excuse

With a broken heart and welled up tears in his eyes

He told me words I never wanted to hear, “You’re right, man”

“– I am really just preparing her for the next guy”

(c)A.Williams, 2016

#PreparingHerfortheNextGuy

#StoryTelling

#RomanticRelationships

#Love

#Poetry

Who knew that Super Bowl number 49

Would be decided at the 1-yard line?

Well, we knew that it would have been close since the score was all knots at halftime

But with 20 seconds left on the Seahawks’ final drive

And witnessed Kearse pull off a miraculous catch on the previous play to keep their hopes alive

When Butler intercepted Wilson’s pass I couldn’t believe my eyes

Talk about a plot twist even Hollywood would be surprise

Apparently the decision to throw instead of run

Is said to have come from Pete Carroll not Russell Wilson

So close yet so far. It would have been the game-winning touchdown.

Hindsight is 20/20, for the Patriots it was a blessing, for the Seahawks it was a dumb move

Given the fact that Marshawn Lynch was already in the Skittles-induced Beast Mode Groove

Undoubtedly the best RB of the season and the Playoffs that’s what his stats prove

While on the field, the stars were the Patriots and the Seahawks

During the halftime production the other stars Katy Perry and Missy Elliot raised the roof

But they were upstaged by a giant mechanical lion and two dancing sharks

Especially the Internet meme- the one on the left who seem to be running out of breath

Super Bowl is also famous for the viewership just for the halftime commercial ads

And this year, they were mostly good, none really terribly bad

Most played it safe, no commercial was really controversial, no advertisement needed chastisement

Back to the game, Russell Wilson by throwing instead of running committed the cardinal sin

And paid the ultimate price and lost the Super Bowl that was his to win

As for the greatness that is Tom Brady, I don’t know where to begin

Another 3 Super Bowl TDs to make it 12 for #12 and another title and another ring

Aside from the records, Brady, Gronk, Edelman and Belichick overcame the picks, interceptions and sacks

And the ‘Deflate-Gate’ controversy to lead a 4th Quarter comeback

And deny the Defending Champions and odds on favourites a repeat victory

Now I join the rest of the world in awaiting the excitement of Super Bowl 50

(c) A.Williams, 2015

#SUPERBOWLXLIX

#SportsPoetry

#NFL

#SeahawksVsPatriots

#RussellWilson

What if no spectators at all

Would have to blame the officials

For making some appalling call?

And managers and coaches,

Did not have to ask for serious changes

Because instead technology

Was used on all stages?

What if technology was not seen

As destroying the human element?

Maybe introducing video cameras

Wouldn’t be such a detriment,

In order to make fair judgments

And satisfy any dissenting arguments?

As it would quickly highlight any infringements

Allowing the officials to make their adjustments.

What If technology eradicates all prejudice?

But instead creates a level playing field of justice,

To each and every sport it would do a great service,

And silence their critics.

Perhaps the relevant authority

Will make the usage of technology

Their number 1 priority.

It seems to be back by a supporters’ majority

With only the dissenting voices

Being the policy making minority.

Innovations in technology

Apart from addressing the issue of security,

Will lead to better quality

Of player equipment and gears.

Whilst ensuring players’ safety

Thereby reducing the fears

Of serious career-ending injury.

The usage of technology

In sports will eradicate disparity.

Instead of hearing fans accuse the official of being bias,

For instance someone screaming out “Ref yuh ah Judas! ”

Or even preventing a players’ fracas,

High level of technology would make this an anomaly.

Imagine if no one had to shout

“Idiot refaree yuh seh dat out!!” all the time,

Or upset onlookers didn’t scream,

“Dat cross di line… Yuh no see dat or a blin’ yuh blin’ ! "

Some say if we had little technology, you would find,

These nonconformists would be in decline.

The Referee could plead in his defence,

“Sirs, I honestly did not see that offence”

Until technology is instituted in sports

This excuse will constitute his innocence

Neither would any fan be justified

In shrieking “Thievin Ref, yuh bring de odda side!”

The Referee will not face any shame

Or be subjected to player’s complaint

Once he checks the camera frame.

Players would not feel cheated or pain

Or their managers left in great disdain

As the Ref’s decision is correct and without blame.

Take for instance, the match with Ireland and France

Had the referee had camera assistance,

Probably he would have taken another stance,

After one simple reviewing glance,

And the Irish would get a fighting chance?

What If they installed Instant Replay?

What would the critics then say?

They might claim the game it would unduly delay.

Too many stoppages to interrupt the momentum of the play

The disruptions will make the viewers’ minds stray.

But at least they will enjoy a fair match day.

What If in the game between the Germans and England,

Had the Lampard disallowed goal stand,

Who is to say that England wouldn’t be in the next round?

Since they were World Cup Finals bound?

They were likely to win the crown.

Only to be denied by the angle of how the ball came down,

Just because there was no goal-line technology around

What If technology was here to stay?

The extra officials wouldn’t need to be paid,

But the likelihood of refereeing blunders,

Will definitely plummet,

If the governing bodies would invest

And prevent these costly errors.

What if these anti-technology critics

Did not question the logic or physics

Of implementing technology,

But rather assisted in making solutions

Or even suggested their own innovations?

What if technology proves to be the saviour of sports

By bringing back fans to the pools, fields and courts?

It would be beneficial to all

Including the neutrals,

As it would ensure that the officials are impartial.

What if sports was played on a level playing field

Would we get a fair deal?

As nobody can dispute the facts of the reel

Because technology isn’t reinventing the wheel.

(c)A. Williams, 2013

#WhatIfSportsDidPlayOnALevelPlayingField?

#SportsPoetry

#TechnologyInSports

#BeforeVAR

#ThinkPiece

We living in a world system run and control by the capitalists

But now we the people are fed up with all of these so called economists

Ready to start a fiscal revolution against these modern day money-terrorists

Who have a conflict of interest with the communists and neo-classicalists.

Some of them are fixated on money so much than in it they find their identity

Claiming that they are money masters when really they just became slaves to money

Got caught up in the worry of gaining property that they forgot to ward off poverty

That’s the real money illusion, for ya, men chasing karat like the one dangling in front of the donkey

Yea, thou they walk through the valley of shallow debts, for money there is no fear or phobia

People use violence, deceit, fraud all kinds of evil even turn to witchcraft and obeah

Sacrificing lives and limbs, tithes and hymns for money, cars and bling and material things

Blurring the lines between pleasures & happiness, and wants & needs

Till little distinction remains between the good life & the high life, and desires & greeds

Buy up stocks, bonds and securities for a little chance of yielding some minimal interest

They are willing to use up the rent, the family life-savings and kids’ college funds to invest

Whilst not even taking into account the likelihood of significant risks

True, the first couple months might have felt like a financial success

But surely that is not what we meant by Home Economics

(c)A.Williams, 2016

#MonetaryPhilosophy:`HomeEconomicsandtheConflictofInterest´

#Poetry

#Economics

#ThinkPiece

What is this many speak of, about and die for freedom?

Is it sovereign will or the ability to get a good education by Carpe diem?

When will we realise that we face 21st century problems with outdated medieval thinking?

Outside of the lines colouring this is gonna be requiring.

The past is a foreign country they have always done things differently there.

If we make every attempt to increase our knowledge and use it for humanity’s good

It will make a big difference in us and our world, I know it could,

But the system churns out so many bookworms but creates few street smarts,

Kids who can’t fend for themselves but excel at Math and the Fine Arts

Can’t cook a proper meal or wash dishes but build drones that are bionic

They train us in a fashion which is robotic no wonder why so much of us are neurotic

Everything we learn is taught in parts and pieces to our detriment

Then we ponder why our thinking is in different fragments

Even though we should be sound in the fundamentals

We’re lacking something very, very crucial

The basic skills, the essential knowledge necessary for our own survival

Until we can fully apply theories that we’re taught to internalize

Concepts will remain just that as we once again fail to visualize

The practical elements of our studies that can be actualize

We push this generation to this education that is so compartmentalized

We stuff them with it and we don’t know or realise

What this education is doing to the heart inside them.

Until then the Mis-education of the 21st century will perpetuate unrecognized.

(c) A. Williams, 2016

#Mis-Education of the 21st Century

#Poetry

#Poem

#ThinkPiece

You remind me of the moon,

Because I told all the stars about you

How you are the centre of attention

The subject of my affection

You’re my Miss Hollywood

Up there orbiting on the carpet of navy blue

You remind me of the moon,

No, not because you are out of the reach of my touch as such

But because you are beautiful, intelligent and virtuous

You are also enigmatic and mysterious

And that’s the rarest combination known to man

That’s why people will always feint interest the best they can

In trying to get to know you

Probing out of curiosity for whatever gold they can find

Not genuinely interested in your mind

It’s only a matter of time

Till their curiosity dies because it wasn’t true

Despite all their probes for your goldmine

And despite being so often misunderstood

You somehow still manage to put all that behind,

And in all your glory and splendour, continue to shine

Your effortless grace has always been a goal of mine

And that’s something not everyone knows

How to love much less how to treat you good

You remind me of the moon

Because you shine your light in spite of all the darkness

You give me hope, because you are able to see good

The good in me that I hardly could

Despite my past mess

You helped me see to museums in me

Where I saw empty hallways

Your moonlight brighten up my darkest days

You showed me how to love my imperfections perfectly

How to appreciate my mistakes and my victories each equally

You remind me of the moon,

Because I see you as my muse

You make me nostalgic

Nostalgic for a love that hasn’t even happened yet

And in a way I wished I wasn’t such a hopeless romantic

Because I’ve romanticized every interaction I never had with you

And although I’m creating expectations that seem unrealistic,

With no guarantee, I’m willing to bet

That I won’t regret because you are worth it

You remind me of the moon

Mostly because I feel like we are kindred spirits

Because when the stars light up my room

And I find myself alone talking to the moon

Whispering my prayers and all my secrets

Wishing you could hear it too

Wishing I was telling you

You remind me of the moon

Because you show me that side of you

That you don’t show anyone else

Pillow talk and Facetime

Are just better in the moonshine nighttime

Our late night conversations are your nightcap

I know you like that

Because you stay up beyond your bedtime

Just to keep my company as we break our curfews

You remind me so much of the moon

Partially because of the distance between us

But distance means so little

When someone means so much

And even though we may be physically apart,

Emotionally our hearts couldn’t be closer

Like the moon’s effect on the rising tides of the ocean

We gravitate to each other

By forces beyond our own comprehension

You remind me of the moon

The moon understands what it means to be human

Uncertain, alone, cratered by imperfections

Sometimes weak and wan,

Other times full of light and strong

Every day it’s a different version

Of itself but it never leaves,

It’s always there like a loyal companion

Watching on

At the end of the day

Whenever I’m feeling lonely

I just look at the moon,

Thinking that’s it’s just me and the moon only

But I know that wherever you are,

You are probably looking right at it too

Because that’s what Soulmates do

The moon reminds me of you,

Because the moon knows,

That as long as there’s a moon

I will always think of you

(c)A. Williams,

20.12.18

#Moonstruck

#LovePoem

#Romantic

Entering the final lap of school, the last stretch before graduating

And that is what these days feel like in actuality like a burden that reverberating

Although for seven years this twilight that we’ve been slowly creating, with baited breath we are now anticipating

As our time here starts terminating, we suffer from bouts of Senioritis and become more irritating

After years of intensive educating, here come our opportunity for matriculating

We become weary of all schoolwork that we subsequently start hating but don’t read too deeply into our remonstrating

The thought of finally moving on with our lives seems so liberating

As emerging from the turbulent time as teenagers and now into young adults we’re germinating

Whether or not we are actually ready for assimilating into the real world we’re still debating

Some of us are reminiscing on our fond memories here and evaluating how these friendships they could ever be recreating

We would like to thank all those who helped us in levitating to the high standards that we are now expected to be demonstrating

The wise words of all our teachers of past and present, we will be continually contemplating

Because they deservedly earned non-stop congratulating for the wisdom found in us that they have and still are inculcating

As we bid our farewells and say our goodbyes, on the good and bad times we had we will be meditating

And thanking God for his grace and mercy and for past 7 years at this noble institution we will be appreciating

If you turn this into a game of political football count me out

What about our creed or does it no longer forms the truth

Never thought you would go the match-fixing route

In cahoots with illegitimate agents, what was that all about?

After I played my position as your defender so well till I think that it’s such a shame

That I have been left back, right back into the game

Looked back on the instant replay what you did was tantamount to foul play

Since that ain’t my style of play I’m handing in my Transfer request

As soon as a window of opportunity opens no time wasting or delay

Coach will sub me out the game because coach knows best

Because he can see that if you don’t take heed there will soon be Poetic Justice

Once there is time there is a chance of comeback with Hope as the catalyst

You most know that time outruns all men and is the great equalizer in summary

You may escape judgement now but you won’t sidestep the Ultimate referee

Even though the playing field may not be level, remember that the ball is round

Continue giving us the run around because it’s your playing time on count down

You will be booked for your attempted stimulation of tricks and antics

Grave action will be taken as your scheming game plan was extremely drastic

This is a most difficult question to answer in terms of absolute

Is he the Son of Man or the Son of God, which is the truth?

According the Gospel of John, he is The Salt of the Earth without dispute

He is The Light of the World for everyone including the youths

Metaphysically John says, He is The Bread of Life that no one can refute

Metaphorically He is The Good Shepherd since lost sheep he recruits

He is The True Vine without attachment you can’t bear good fruit

He is The Resurrection & the Life, as the giver of salvation there is no substitute

He is The Way by which we get intimately attached to God by the root

He is The Door through which, we will to the Trinity, have to commute

Is it that all of these titles would mean his equality with the Deity by virtue

Of his elevation from Lord and Saviour to Creator & Sustainer

Since he is now greeted with a different kind of salute.