Alter-Portrait

 

 

Gentle brushstrokes

Paint a smile

Upon her portrait face

But it won’t heal

The pain within the heart

Not in the picture frame.

The bright colors

Are nothing more

Than a mask

Covering macabre emotions

With a Mardi Gras attitude.

Loneliness is the theme

Of her artwork

At the exhibit;

Each one sold,

None taken home.

Red and black

Are the only colors

On her palette

As she creates

Her reflective masterpiece

For one final auction.

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

It is so true that we can hide our true feeling behind a mask of a smile and a friendly attitude but when it comes to art we pour our emotions into the pieces unable to hide those feelings the lurk deep within side our bodies and souls. You have painted a wonderful masterpiece here that clearly allows the reader to picture what you are describing.

It should be Than a Mask not Then a Mask. Simple little typo. I do that kind of stuff all the time lol

[lynn]

Beautifully expressed :)

[Laura Maidah]

The only part i didn't like is the "loneliness is the theme" lines. Try the old "show, don't tell" deal. Might make this pretty darn perfect. LOVE the last sentence.

[Dayran]

They say in Avalon that a lady's taste may extend beyond the secure home and family. That she may like a little adventure from a mysterious knight in armor. That it's sometimes about a dream.

[OT]

written brilliantly with a great depth perfect for interpretation, I also liked your kind of mid-line rhymes, I thought that was pretty skillful (macabre, mardis gras). Nice!!

[Chris38]

I write sometimes about the masks we hide behind. This was like a painting being gradually unveiled. Brilliant

[Jamie S.]

Another deep, vivid and emotional write. Great poetry Cowboy, thank you for sharing :)

[HopelesslyDevoted]

i love the way you opened up the poem on this one with a single brush stroke, it made the whole poem such a beautiful picture of expression!

[Brittany W]

I truly love this poem, its so true and deep, amazing write.

[Ice QueenJen]

Excellent poem, so vivid with emotion as if you are the one watching her as she stands and paints while trying her best to hid her internal pain.

I don't think you have that word wrong when you read the line before it " The bright colors

Are nothing more

Than a mask"

As if she is using the bright colors to hide her internal pain.

I am reading a story about a girl who loses herself into her drawings, this is much like that..... and sort of what I do when I am sad.

[Alicia Schroeder]

This is deep and touching, it reminds me of some of my older artwork, pouring your heart into something beautiful, while sometimes feeling sorrowful, it is a great and wonderful outlet. I love this peice!!