I wasn't sure what category to place this poem in...and finally decided for relationships. Last week a family who is and has been neighbors and casual friends for many years had a horrible tragedy roar through their life. A hard working husband and father was charged with numerous charges for driving while under the influence and hitting another car killing a teen passenger who was a friend of my neice. A double tragedy in our small community. I pondered the life of the wife as her long time husband awaits a trial while in jail. Their private life unfolds and secrets become known about his long time drinking habit. Many lives were affected through this tragedy, but one life must have lived and will continue living through torment. She...the wife always wore a smile, very pleasant, and never allowed the public to see her anguish....this poem is for her...
Mask of Happiness
Up early trying to find peace doubts shadow my thoughts memories linger from days gone by who am I…what am I where do I go? I wonder from day to day existing as I watch my life pass by! What do I do, the secrets eat away… watching you die day by day a slow miserable death one of your ancestors I have seen drowning in a bottle a bottle of misery! I am helpless against this enemy as it rages through our home out of control you no longer own your own life controlled by the drink the poison that’s invaded my home my family my life!
Will it stop? Will it be too late? What is our fate…I ponder this daily an answer I have not found will I receive my prayer before they lay one of us in the ground? I pray for moments of peace a few that we might share I pray daily for answers
Joyce,
This is a powerful poem! I watched a show about this type of tragedy. I think it's Texas that has a judge who forces offenders to walk the streets with a picket sign claiming what they've done and who they've killed. The public humiliation theory. Their actions really do effect others. Proof is in your poem. Love and Hugs~
Sheila
The title is PERFECT
In families much is hidden
Your flow brought sensitivety to newer heights in the heart Lady "J"
and your way of explaining it with a introduction, was smart with such an easy flowww...
This is very sad and I know someone who went through the same!
When will D.U.I. have stronger guidelines, for others to follow...
Very nice thoughtful tribute to your friend all involved!
Another sad occurance in the life of a FAMILY!
Write On!
Warmest Blessings, Inner Peace, Bright Light and Warmer Hugs, Warrior Lady Sweet Sheooxoo
STay Positive!
Lady "J" my friend, I wish for Jesus to wrap his loving arms around your soul and soften it with peaceful, for all you have been going through!!! Amen!
Sad, Joyce. I think you summed up how this woman is feeling very well. Too much saddness has been in your life right now. I could feel you bleeding for this woman, a friend, as she suffers one humiliation after another. Excellent. Liz
Very sad, indeed, Joyce. You are such a compassionate soul and I am one with you in prayer that all will be well. "Mask of Happiness" is accurate and written with love and real concern. A moving piece.
Hello Joyce, one of the first things I did was quit drinking. After that my whoole life changed. Anyway, that mask of happiness is one I think we all wear, covering up our pains and miseries. hugs
So sad the rippling effect of bad habbits... masks of happiness... makes you wonder how many masks are really out there. They're probably everywhere. --Charlie
A kind tribute to your neighbor. I think there are many who wear this mask and hide much from the world. Its too bad so many lives are affected by this terrible tragedy...........M
Reviewed by E. Farrand (Reader)
Reviewed on February 4, 2008
Hi Joyce,
It's writing like this that brings what many times is just a brief newspaper item into our hearts. I have know many who wore the "Mask of Happiness".
Joyce, you are such a fine writer. You have deep perception and compassion with a true understanding of the torment this poor woman and family are going through! A superb poem!I pray God will cover them and the situation,with His grace!
I can sense your sadness and concerns about
this tragedy a friend of ours is an alcoholic
And he killed a person while driving home
the person he kill had worked in the white house
no one knew why he was walking in a dark street
And what ever he was doing it was some kind of a cover up
and our friend never was punished nor sent to a rehabs
It's been a few years and his still drinking and driven
That tells you how the law works!
All we can do is pray for your friends!
Peace Love and Hugsss...Morning Star
Some like masks and some don't. The torture is too much to bear at times. In communities not heavily populated, we sometimes THINK we are fooling lots of folks, but are we facing reality? For all its pain, reality, it seems to me, is the best course...
How thoughtful of you designating this poem to this troubled woman. I hope her life will gain strenght from it. No excuses for drinking while under the influence, absolutely none!!
Becca~
Reviewed by Ron (sketchman) Axelson (Reader)
Reviewed on February 3, 2008
A heartbreaker indeed.
Hope all will get better for the families
Sadly the teen is gone.
A blessed write Joyce.
Ron
Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader)
Reviewed on February 3, 2008
Very sad Joyce, too many wear the Mask, bless you for caring and thinking of this woman and her pain, love holly
Dear Joyce, God Almighty, What a great tragedy, we can only pray for all of them. And you Joyce do what you can to alleviate her pain. God Bless you too. Emile
A tragic story,, if it was only that and not reality,,Oh my, My heart goes out to all, and My prayers with this young person whose life was taken too soon and to the family.
Love and Prayers,
Christine
Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on February 3, 2008
A friend of mines Aunt was killed by a drunk driver in NY.
How sad, and what a wasted life, causing untold grief.
Maybe prohabition had something going for it...
I'll always admire the attempt...
Pubs are legal drug pushers..
I know what you mean abot catogs' I just put everything in poetry...lol
I am sorry for your neighbor's loss; know that she (and you) are in my prayers! Drinking and driving do NOT mix; how many more people hav to die at the hands of those who abuse alcohol?? They need to start cracking down on drinking like they do cigarettes, stop advertising it on tv so much (particularly during events like the Super Bowl), or have those who drink like a fish visit a hospital emergency room, see the consequences of drinking and driving for themselves. That would sober them right up! Or better yet, don't give them disability!!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(
Very sad but a job well done. If only those that drink thought of the consequences they may think twice before getting behing that wheel. I will pray for her for she is surely going to need them and her friends. God Bless. Love, Bonnie
Good morning. :( A sad beginning, reading these compassionate lines reaching out to a hurting member of the community - it's only by the Grace of God that I stopped drinking 25 years ago. Know how He did it? I'd gone to a girlfriend's house to spend the night, we drank Mai-tais all night. Stayed up. Went skiing the next day (yes, we drove). At the ski resort, they were having a ski race. Was drunk enough to enter (placed 10th out of 80 entrants). They were giving the participants FREE BEER! Later on that evening, I went to sit down to play a game of backgammon, a friend gave me a Kamikaze (everything mixed together) - don't remember NOTHING 'til the next morning with the world's worst hangaround. O, I was sick ... the panicked thought of "MY CAR!" came to mind - it was in the driveway. Called my friend, asked her how we got home - I'D DRIVEN. That did it for me. Now if I could quit these durn ciggies ........... your friend is in my prayers, as are you. Well penned.
A book-length psychodynamic study of pathological narcissism, relationships
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A collection of love poetry both relatable and unique.. Poems both joyful, playfu , yearning and romantic. The Poet has exposed his heart and soul in words of love and admiration. Take a journey through the thoughts of a Contempary poet of love. Poet
A book-length psychodynamic study of pathological narcissism, relationships
with abusive narcissists, and the Narcissistic Personality Disorder, using a new vocabulary.
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This is a powerful poem! I watched a show about this type of tragedy. I think it's Texas that has a judge who forces offenders to walk the streets with a picket sign claiming what they've done and who they've killed. The public humiliation theory. Their actions really do effect others. Proof is in your poem. Love and Hugs~
Sheila
In families much is hidden
Your flow brought sensitivety to newer heights in the heart Lady "J"
and your way of explaining it with a introduction, was smart with such an easy flowww...
This is very sad and I know someone who went through the same!
When will D.U.I. have stronger guidelines, for others to follow...
Very nice thoughtful tribute to your friend all involved!
Another sad occurance in the life of a FAMILY!
Write On!
Warmest Blessings, Inner Peace, Bright Light and Warmer Hugs, Warrior Lady Sweet Sheooxoo
STay Positive!
Lady "J" my friend, I wish for Jesus to wrap his loving arms around your soul and soften it with peaceful, for all you have been going through!!! Amen!
Be well,
Sheri
It's writing like this that brings what many times is just a brief newspaper item into our hearts. I have know many who wore the "Mask of Happiness".
A true picture of reality... "Mask of Happiness..." depicts what many families have to face due to drinking addiction. Outstanding work of art.
In admiration,
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
Love,
ET
this tragedy a friend of ours is an alcoholic
And he killed a person while driving home
the person he kill had worked in the white house
no one knew why he was walking in a dark street
And what ever he was doing it was some kind of a cover up
and our friend never was punished nor sent to a rehabs
It's been a few years and his still drinking and driven
That tells you how the law works!
All we can do is pray for your friends!
Peace Love and Hugsss...Morning Star
stan
Becca~
Hope all will get better for the families
Sadly the teen is gone.
A blessed write Joyce.
Ron
Love Tinka
Love and Prayers,
Christine
How sad, and what a wasted life, causing untold grief.
Maybe prohabition had something going for it...
I'll always admire the attempt...
Pubs are legal drug pushers..
I know what you mean abot catogs' I just put everything in poetry...lol
Walt
That teenager life can't be retrieved with a couple of " I am sorry"
Georg
Peace,
Dan
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(
Powerful pen!!
Good morning. :( A sad beginning, reading these compassionate lines reaching out to a hurting member of the community - it's only by the Grace of God that I stopped drinking 25 years ago. Know how He did it? I'd gone to a girlfriend's house to spend the night, we drank Mai-tais all night. Stayed up. Went skiing the next day (yes, we drove). At the ski resort, they were having a ski race. Was drunk enough to enter (placed 10th out of 80 entrants). They were giving the participants FREE BEER! Later on that evening, I went to sit down to play a game of backgammon, a friend gave me a Kamikaze (everything mixed together) - don't remember NOTHING 'til the next morning with the world's worst hangaround. O, I was sick ... the panicked thought of "MY CAR!" came to mind - it was in the driveway. Called my friend, asked her how we got home - I'D DRIVEN. That did it for me. Now if I could quit these durn ciggies ........... your friend is in my prayers, as are you. Well penned.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(