Thank you, administrators, for the honor. Below please read the Double Gold winning poem:
Clown Mask
Of all the social masks I wear,
My favorite is that of the clown.
It’s cheery colors hide the circles under
My eyes, the blood red cheeks are a gown
For covering blotchy skin from bouts
Of crying concealed in my lonely room,
Where the walls are party to the clouts
Of invisible pressures well sheathed in a bloom
Of colors, passionate deadly red,
That’s double edged in giving me
My highs and lows, happy and sad,
While white’s my hope for peace that came
In the relatively darkened home,
Knocked lightly, politely asking permission
For entry. It entreats me
To join the calm within the raven compassion
Of a heart needing an outlet to its
Pent up frustrations, disillusionments,
Disappointments and loss’s gots
Its hold on the vice of hate’s
Antonym requiring a face lifted
Into a mask of joy pierced by the gift
Of faith, love, and will to be lightened
By their brilliance overcoming the dead lift.
©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518
Poetry for Change 