Quatrain– “Quatrains, also known as four-line poems, are four line stanzas of any type, rhyme, or meter.”  (Definition paraphrased from The Poets Garret, August 23, 2012)

 

 

Shedding the Mask

By Rita H. Chen

 

I hate his eternal smile
It never seems to dim
He always looks so happy
Like nothing bothers him

I know the sorrow
He hides within his soul
Guilt feasts on his sanity
Its nibbling harsh but slow

Why doesn’t he tell me?
I will be there for him
I know I’ll understand
His secret hope and whim

Yet he shields his every thought
And keeps himself from me
He always wears a cheery mask
That’s all he’ll let me see

I hate that set mask
With its eternal smile
If I could rip it off
I would–!

 

Rita’s Musings: This particular form of quatrain is known as a long measure poem with a rhyme scheme of a.b.c.b. Not my best piece of work but not the worst either…