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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MASK, by CLAUDE HOUGHTON Poet's Biography
First Line: I am as some frail harlot whose pale face
Last Line: The leprous growth of my immense despair.
Subject(s): Despair; Faces; Masks; Secrets
First Line: I am as some frail harlot whose pale face
Last Line: The leprous growth of my immense despair.
Subject(s): Despair; Faces; Masks; Secrets
I AM as some frail harlot whose pale face
Is daubed with rouge to hide the tracks of sin,
Whose outward smile denies the grief within;
A shade of death that haunts a pleasure place.
Her loud and mirthless laugh rings false and thin,
Within her eyes of flame the wise can trace
The lurking terror of her soul's disgrace—
Harpy of hell, who life by shame must win.
Yea, thus am I who prowl around the lair
Of languid pleasure, 'gainst my troubled will,
With smiling face despite my heart's dread chill,
Despite the burden of my giant care,
I wear this mask of joy and strive to kill
The leprous growth of my immense despair.
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