A poem I wrote for someone I love

The Mask Slips

We are all damaged goods
The twists and turns of life
Leaving gnarls and scratches. 

Those who love us ignoring these 
Content to see the shiny bits
That glow through the haze. 

But, at times, all we notice
Are all the imperfections 
The bumps and the lumps. 

But there is so much more
To each and every one of us
Little sparkles flashing here and there. 

And you I know for sure
Have a big heart and soul
Depth below the facade. 

A mask everyone wears
To hide the fragile bits
To show that we are coping. 

Sometimes it will slip
When we are overwhelmed 
Those who love us are always there. 

Remember when the clouds descend
You provide something 
That can be found nowhere else. 

Brian Matthews 1-12-23