Val enjoys writing prose in rhymes by always leaving a message of a life truism in each piece.

Introduction

I often wonder how true are the perceived images of us and others. Are we portraying everybody with our limited colors from our painter's palette? Are we using a fine brush, or ours is a broad one just suitable for stereotyping?

And, is it that only our social images are communicating -- not our true selves? And, as we talk about that "true" self", how can others really reach our true depths, if even we are not fully aware of so much of it?

As I am writing all this, those few of my analytically minded readers surely have formed an image of who I am, and "where I am coming from". But it's more than likely that they are terribly wrong, while just fragmenting their impressions and synthetizing those fragments into their own portray of who I might be.

Indeed, we could spend most of our lifetime with a person while only scratching the surface of who they are, since we are all so selective at revealing ourselves, and we do it automatically.

These and other similar questions pop up in this inquisitive, out of box mind of mine that's in the habit of searching beyond the obvious.

The next pieces of my prose in rhymes are depicting the above enigma of true identities.

I know that mirrors give us a false sense of confidence. The reflection that we see everyday has nothing to do with how others see us. The glass lies.

-- Rasmenia Massoud

How Visible Are We Really?

When they talk to us

are we only used for ears

for them to share and to fuss

to express their hopes and fears

And when they look in our direction

do they see who we know we are

or is it only their interpretation

missing our true self by far.

So many times while we are talking

words change meaning in their head

and that silly truth is almost mocking

for they're hearing their minds instead.

We may be mistaken for our reputation

or some gossips are painting our portrait

and not that we deserve a standing ovation

but what they may see in us isn't really great.

So we are walking this world visible in part

mostly invisible for whom we feel we are

but we should not take it to our heart

as long as we see in us a shiny star.

I love those who smile in trouble.

-- Leonardo da Vinci

Put a Smile on Jesus' Face

Would Jesus like being always portrayed

the way of his dying on the cross in pain

instead as a happy messiah who prayed

for a loving world, not with a hate insane.

Who insisted on wiping smile off his face

the one that Buddha's wearing with bliss

to instill guilt and debt into human race

making part of his teaching a big miss.

It is like parents reminding us at all time

how their love is filled with the sacrifice

how our imperfection means a crime

while making each hug wear a price.

What happened with warm Magdalena story

displaying to us his human side of heart

instead of his ending, brutal and gory

not inspiring for a fresh life start.

Don't we tend to imitate our teacher's look

now less inspired by words than with pain

and it's not to defy anything of holy book

but love and suffering won't mix in brain.

So, why not put a big smile on our teacher's face

maybe his words of love would touch us more

for walk on our spiritual path with new grace

with no sinner's guilt and debt like before.

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

-- Albert Camus

Unaware of Our True Strength

Humans survived horrors of wars

scarcities mocking balanced eating

stress untold, hope of unknown source

taking every earthly and heavenly beating.

Yet, in times of crises we seem to have no limit

sheer will to live somehow makes us prevail

soul's light strong that nothing can dim it

turbulent seas ending like a smooth sail.

Then we think back with all deserved pride

disbelief not offering anything to explain

where we found all that strength inside

and how we endured all that pain.

So time does what it always will

making that memory quickly fade

now leaving us at mercy of new drill

of petty issues and problems self-made.

Wallowing in some crazy self-pity trap

and joining the chorus of those that fuss

we don't know how to deal with all that crap

moaning over some little mishaps befalling us.

Well, seems like we are only brave and strong

when the big trouble somehow refuses to pass

otherwise it's a crying crowd where we belong

in absence of that supercharging kick in the ass.

© 2020 Val Karas