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Happy Valentines day everyone, I saw that some folks were posting their thoughts about vitiligo so I decided to post the poem I wrote awhile back. It is a little long winded but I think its worth reading.  I hope you enjoy. 

Every morning when I wake, I wish the lord my soul to take

Not because I wish to die, but if only to free my burdened mind

What great burden do you ask? My cursed, white and ivory mask!

To the mirror I look so often, hoping that the mask's forgotten

But its there each time I look, another chapter in my book

If you'd read this book of mine, you'd surely feel my pain in time

So I close the book each night, hoping for the dawns new light

But when I wake to face the mirror, the mask is there to my great terror!

Enough I say to this mask, so to a wise man I go and ask

Oh wise man, with your knowledge vast.  Can you bring me peace at last?

The wise man says without a doubt!  My magic balm will help you out

Twice a day into your palm, then to your mask and rub it on

In no time you'll be mask free, now if you would, please pay my fee

Quickly home I rush with haste, to apply this amazing paste

Like the wise man had said so stern, the paste it did indeed burn

But no sacrifice is too great, to rid myself of this grim fate

So like a clock, twice a day, apply the balm for which I pay

Then I wait with patience dear, but there's no progress that is clear

That is when I knew it so, the wise man truly didn't know!

Then upon my second visit, I asked the wise man please what is it?

What is this dreaded mask of snow, his only reply was Vitiligo

What was this word I did not know, that made my skin like driven snow

The wise man said that nature's cruel, but need not be if you know the rule

What is this rule I quickly asked, my eyes with tears became like glass

No light for you there is only darkness, then you can remove this harness

I love the sun it shines so bright, you say with out I'll rid my plight?

If you wish to leave your mask, no more in the sun can you bask

So into the night I did go, cursing this dreaded Vitiligo

I bravely did the wise man's bidding, surely that he wasn't kidding?

Not to see the sun so shining, perhaps I'll  find a silver lining

But from with drawl can come no good, as I cowered under hood

Rage and anger filled my mind, I wished I could turn back the time

What did I do that was so wrong, to be committed to this sad song?

But then the strangest thing did happen, when I received a sudden slappin'

From the ones I hold so dear, who reassured me, have no fear

You are still the same great person, even if this mask should worsen

Then to my grand surprise, a friend of old before my eyes

To my surprise he wore my mask, where he'd found it I did not ask

He told me all there was to know, of my dreaded mask of snow

Since he'd had his mask much longer, he told me that it'd make me stronger

Surely my friend must be mistaken, to wear this mask is to be forsaken!

But what did I have to lose, so heed his words I did so choose

It wasn't easy to face each day, but oh outside I longed to play

So out into the world I went, thinking of all the time I'd spent

Feeling sorry for myself, as I hung out upon the shelf

There would not be a moments sorrow, I would no longer live for tomorrow

I'd live life for each new day, all while keeping my mask at bay

Then like lightning it did happen, all new feelings that had me clappin'

Empathy is what its called, the lack from others had me appalled

I would use these new found feelings, to ease the pain of others dealings

I could not be the only one, whose mask had taken all their fun

Certainly it's not in vain, to understand each others pain

Through this act I did truly grow, all thanks to my Vitiligo

Now this story is not ending, for my fate is still in pending

My mask is not a dreaded sentence, to wear it no longer requires penance

You must gain the strength from within, as its the only way you'll win

This game of life has much to offer, live and laugh and fill the coffers

Although I know my mask may spread, to my toes, from my head

On this I will no longer dwell, as I drink from life's deep well.

Some day there will be a cure, of this I do know for sure.

But until that day does come, I'll wear my mask out in the sun.