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Sunday, 18 October 2020

What's Behind Your Mask?


 "Together We Unite. My illustration shows the power of togetherness, using images people from different COVID 19 impacted countries. The face mask has become a symbol of protection during the pandemic. By imposing flag images on the masks it showcases the on-going efforts made by effected nations to ensure the safety of their citizens." Image created by Laura Makaltses. Submitted for United Nations Global Call Out To Creatives - help stop the spread of COVID-19.

We Wear the Mask

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth with myriad subtleties.


Why should the world be over-wise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us, while

We wear the mask.


We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

We wear the mask!

by Paul Laurence Dunbar


Writing prompt: How do you feel about wearing a mask? Do you have any sense of unity with people in other parts of the world, as suggested by the illustration above? Or perhaps, like the poet Dunbar, your mask hides your true emotions. Does your 'mask' stop others from seeing how you really feel? Set a timer and explore your feelings in your writing for six minutes. 


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