Facades

Facades

We build facades.
Some around others,Some around ourselves.

The ones we build around ourselvesWe build to protect ourselvesFrom the ridicule of others.

Or we build them to fit in.
We shape them andPaint them to conformTo what we thinkOthers wish to see.

We put up facadesBecause we are ashamedOf what we are andHow others will react.

We put up facades around us
So we can pretend that we are
Something that we are not.
To show others that we are better
Then they are.

We put up facades
Around others to give us hope
Of happy times and better things.
For joy that we seek for ourselves
And even for a moment give it to others.

We put up facades
Around others so we don’t have
To see their problems, their heartache.
By doing this we do not have to
Become involved and it is easer for us.

We put up facades
Around others to make them
Lesser then we are.
So we can put them down,
Belittle them, and even control them.
All so we can feel better about ourselves.

Soon we start to believe the facades
Are the real thing, we start to even
Worship the facades and build them up.
To the point that we do not believe
The truth when it is staring us in the face.

It is not until all the facades, the falsehoods,
The lies, the predigest, and the bigotry
Are all torn down
That the healing can begin
And we truly see the structures
And the beauty that God has
Built in each and every one of us.

It is then we see joy.

Spring 2006-14 September 2007
Larry T. Hollist