Mask
we all wear one34 total reviews
Comment from John W Walker
Beautifully written! This is one of those stories that one wishes he had written it himself. From the beginning sentence to the end, this story held my interest throughout. I can detect no grammatical or others errors for suggestion for improvement. Well done!
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Beautifully written! This is one of those stories that one wishes he had written it himself. From the beginning sentence to the end, this story held my interest throughout. I can detect no grammatical or others errors for suggestion for improvement. Well done!
Comment Written 23-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Many thanks for checking this one out.
I see some of those stories from time to time that make me think, I wish I'd thought of that!
Much appreciated
GMG
Comment from Loren .
This is like putting on a suit that hangs in my closet, looking in a mirror and unfortunately seeing that it fits too well. Do we wear masks. Yes, but we must to get along superficially and socially in this world. But then fortitude is a virtue that can only help us be ourselves. Your post also shows the importance of having someone in our lives that knows our true selfs. Loren
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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This is like putting on a suit that hangs in my closet, looking in a mirror and unfortunately seeing that it fits too well. Do we wear masks. Yes, but we must to get along superficially and socially in this world. But then fortitude is a virtue that can only help us be ourselves. Your post also shows the importance of having someone in our lives that knows our true selfs. Loren
Comment Written 23-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Hi Loren, that's one of the aspects I was hoping would be picked up - the absence of the other person. I'm not sure how I'd survive without my wife - don't even want to contemplate it.
Much appreciated. G
Comment from Scarbrems
I loved this, even if it did make me well up. You have captured the 'little things' aspect of grief beautifully.
The repetition - 'her chair-always her chair'' resonates.
These things that make up domestic life for a long period with another person.
And the face that is put on for the world outside, away from the 'little things' reminding of the one who is gone.
Insightful. Thoughtful, poignant and touching.
Tiniest of nits- I think you might have meant 'sliver of early evening sunlight' rather than 'slither...' in the second paragraph
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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I loved this, even if it did make me well up. You have captured the 'little things' aspect of grief beautifully.
The repetition - 'her chair-always her chair'' resonates.
These things that make up domestic life for a long period with another person.
And the face that is put on for the world outside, away from the 'little things' reminding of the one who is gone.
Insightful. Thoughtful, poignant and touching.
Tiniest of nits- I think you might have meant 'sliver of early evening sunlight' rather than 'slither...' in the second paragraph
Comment Written 23-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Ah, the slither / sliver thing. It's an o choice but it was intentional. To sort of signify the silent, creeping nature of the intruding light. It's caused a bit of consternation so I may well amend it.
Much appreciated, E. G
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Oh, sorry. I did wonder, it isn't like you to make that sort of mistake. Glad you are still here, TBH. Great to read your work again. Best regards, the artist formerly known as Sarkems.
Comment from Paul Manton
Yes, a nice metaphor for a broken/old man. He is severely damaged physically and emotionally. Life is a burden which he may not really want to carry any more: the richness of the descriptive words pile up a life which is in every way a painful chore. 43 years of memories, the last three insufferable.
But no one else must see this. No one else must get through the pain barrier to expose the screaming man behind that mask. I t sounds like a facade he will choose to keep for the rest of his life. A very sad story.
Paul
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Yes, a nice metaphor for a broken/old man. He is severely damaged physically and emotionally. Life is a burden which he may not really want to carry any more: the richness of the descriptive words pile up a life which is in every way a painful chore. 43 years of memories, the last three insufferable.
But no one else must see this. No one else must get through the pain barrier to expose the screaming man behind that mask. I t sounds like a facade he will choose to keep for the rest of his life. A very sad story.
Paul
Comment Written 23-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Many thanks for checking this one out, Paul. Always appreciated. G
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Welcome, G.
Best wishes, Paul
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
We put a brave face on and face the world every day, especially when have to hold down a job to keep a roof over our head. I noticed this man did not take a shower before putting on his pyjamas! Ha ha ha. I also wondered why he shuffled, perhaps his socks were slippy. It is sad being widowed, but at least this man was able to get up and still face the day with his mask on, a melancholy write, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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We put a brave face on and face the world every day, especially when have to hold down a job to keep a roof over our head. I noticed this man did not take a shower before putting on his pyjamas! Ha ha ha. I also wondered why he shuffled, perhaps his socks were slippy. It is sad being widowed, but at least this man was able to get up and still face the day with his mask on, a melancholy write, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 23-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Many thanks for checking this one out. Sadly, i cannot review your work anymore as you have muted me, which is your prerogative. G
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Sorry about that x
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It's fair enough. lol Hope you well.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
This is such a sad story of grief and loss and captures the daily life of an elderly, widowed man who lives in two worlds: the public and the private. The descriptive detail here is exquisite (I loved the para starting Jason trundled down the hallway...) And the imagery of the mask is a perfect theme for, yes, the act we all perform in our daily life but, perhaps, not always to this poignant degree. Thanks for sharing, Debbie
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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This is such a sad story of grief and loss and captures the daily life of an elderly, widowed man who lives in two worlds: the public and the private. The descriptive detail here is exquisite (I loved the para starting Jason trundled down the hallway...) And the imagery of the mask is a perfect theme for, yes, the act we all perform in our daily life but, perhaps, not always to this poignant degree. Thanks for sharing, Debbie
Comment Written 22-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Many thanks for your thoughts on this one, Debbie. Always appreciated. G
Comment from Ulla
Yes, he had one face for the public and another, the true one , when he was at home. What an utterly sad life that was. He was just incapable to move forward. A great little story, Gareth, showing how sad life can really be. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Yes, he had one face for the public and another, the true one , when he was at home. What an utterly sad life that was. He was just incapable to move forward. A great little story, Gareth, showing how sad life can really be. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 22-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Many thanks as always, Ulla. G
Comment from Jim Wile
This was a wonderful story, G-man. Loved the metaphor of a physical mask with the expression we put on our faces to hide our true feelings to others.
He can't hide from himself, though. This poor man is still depressed over the loss of his beloved wife of many years. Even the memories of their bedroom together are too painful for him, so he has set up his bedroom in the guest room down the hall. He prepares his tea differently from how his wife would have prepared it and ruefully thinks what his wife would have said about it.
You've beautifully given us a small glimpse of a typical day for him, and it is sweetly sad in that it sounds like they had a wonderful life together, and his memories of her are fond ones. - Jim
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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This was a wonderful story, G-man. Loved the metaphor of a physical mask with the expression we put on our faces to hide our true feelings to others.
He can't hide from himself, though. This poor man is still depressed over the loss of his beloved wife of many years. Even the memories of their bedroom together are too painful for him, so he has set up his bedroom in the guest room down the hall. He prepares his tea differently from how his wife would have prepared it and ruefully thinks what his wife would have said about it.
You've beautifully given us a small glimpse of a typical day for him, and it is sweetly sad in that it sounds like they had a wonderful life together, and his memories of her are fond ones. - Jim
Comment Written 22-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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I like the incidental details of life but they can bog a story down without meaning! lol
being honest with ourselves is a difficult thing, even more so than being honest about who we are with others.
Much appreciated, Jim. G
Comment from BethShelby
This a story of an aging and lonely man who misses his wife, but carries on day to day masking his sadness so the world will see him as a pleasant person who hides the grief he is feeling. This is written in way to remind us that most of wear a mask to disguise what we really are feeling inside.
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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This a story of an aging and lonely man who misses his wife, but carries on day to day masking his sadness so the world will see him as a pleasant person who hides the grief he is feeling. This is written in way to remind us that most of wear a mask to disguise what we really are feeling inside.
Comment Written 22-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Much appreciated, Beth. G
Comment from BethShelby
This a story of an aging and lonely man who misses his wife, but carries on day to day masking his sadness so the world will see him as a pleasant person who hides the grief he is feeling. This is written in way to remind us that most of wear a mask to disguise what we really are feeling inside.
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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This a story of an aging and lonely man who misses his wife, but carries on day to day masking his sadness so the world will see him as a pleasant person who hides the grief he is feeling. This is written in way to remind us that most of wear a mask to disguise what we really are feeling inside.
Comment Written 22-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 24-Sep-2023
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Much appreciated, Beth. G