Macbook desktop files aren't visible.

My files on my desktop will not show, all that shows is the Macintosh HD icon. The thing is, when i click on my desktop where a file was, the file reappears. I can do that to all the files, click on my desktop where a file use to be and it shows. When I logout or shutdown my laptop then turn it back on, all the files are gone again. Everything is visible in my finder when I go under desktop, but they're not visible on my desktop screen. Don't know whats wrong. Need help.