Hypocrites

They see me through bloodshot eyes.

They smell me with burned-out nostrils.
They hear me through beeswax ears.
They touch me with plastic fingers.
They dine with me bringing their puke, indigestion and bad breath.
They lick their lying lips.

They talk to me with forked tongues.

Their words burn like acid.
They laugh at me from the corners of their mouths.
They smile at me in condescension.

They dance with me in deceit.

They walk away from me with lying legs.
They judge me with crooked gavels.
They cut me off on life's on-ramp.

They visit me with welcome wagons, then go home and lock their doors.
They sell me out for a pittance.
They defecate on me in defiance.

Self-righteous denizens of dung.

Charlatans of chicanery cloaked behind moribund masks.
Ignorant, contemptible, contradictory cut-throats.

Delusional deviants.

Two-faced, twisted turncoats.

Fractured facades in fun-house mirrors.
Four-flushing fakers.
Masquerading malingerers.

Pontificating, placating patronizers.

Pompous plaster saints.

Saying one thing but doing another.

Their waves go from five fingers to one.
Who the hell do they think they are?

Reviews

[David Scott]

Wow! You have captured the disease in a bottle here. Hypocrisy is nothing new. There is intentional hypocrisy and passive hypocrisy. Both destroy. Both hurt.
The poetry was a fabulous romp in the deboutchery of hypocrisy.
Saying this, I know when one allows these observations to direct our thoughts, emotions and our psychological filters, we become what we behold.
I've been there. Judging the judgers. Faking out the fakers. Etc...
The cure for this is to be true, be open, be vulnerable. Slow others to take advantage if they will. Be smart, and protect yourself to responsible degree, but let the virtual knife stab. It will not kill you.
Soon, you will begins to see what is behind the mask. You will see the intentions and driving forces behind seemingly irrational behaviors. You will live loving even those hypocrites and maybe find a few loving one's hypocritical self...
IDK... Seems like something wise I was taught or might have read in some great historical manuscript of life and love.
A fantastic write Pete.

[Pete]

Thank you for such an insightful review. I'm glad I could capture it for you. I wasn't sure if I had nailed it or failed with drivel.

[David Scott]

Nailed it for sure!

[Im His Daughter]

Human, they are. Yet, still hypocrites. I have experienced this myself. Forgive them for you, not for them. Pray for their eyes to open.

[Pete]

Love is strength. I am strong only through God. Without him, I am nothing.

[A.marie.speaks]

This is ingenious. I love the tone you created and the mockery you expose. I never thought it could be a compliment, however, what a hypocritical piece of art!

[Pete]

You're funny. Glad you liked it. Thanks so much for reviewing and stepping into my world.

[A.marie.speaks]

You're very welcome. I enjoy your style, it is inspiring.

[Ruth]

Brilliant! I really enjoyed this, sums the title nicely and also expands to maximum...you really have a societal documentary here in prose form :) Superb :) All we can be is ourselves...true and open and hope our example leads where words fail...excellent piece :)

[Pete]

Thank you for taking the time. Glad you liked it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is as David said, fabulous---

reminds me of the line in "Eve of Destruction"

"hate your next door neighbor but don't forget to say grace"

people live lies and live on lies---and when we figure it out...we are gone....and they are left dwelling in their own hypocrisy which will come back on them someday.

[Pete]

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it. It seems that hypocrisy runs rampant. One day I had enough of it and penned this.

[ms. barrie]

this is incredible ink to say the least! what a way to ensnare pathetic hypocrites in
their little web! stunning imagery that bites as well as amazing fluidity...
very much enjoyed your ink! thank you for sharing...
x - miss. barrie

[Pete]

Thank you for stopping by and reading it. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[-inactive now-]

That pretty much sums up the rat race where nearly everyone is out entirely for their own gain. Masquerading as friends with smiling faces and caring hearts on display pinned to their shirts, yet inside behind the masks are waging a secret war against all who may hinder their way to the top of the pile.
Well done, I enjoyed that poem :)

[Pete]

Hypocrisy is epidemic to say the least. thanks for taking the time.

[James Glazier]

"They defecate on me in defiance" one of the best lines. Amazing poem.

[Pete]

Thank you for reading.

[hdc]

"They" Suck. :) Very well written, Has a good flow I enjoyed it. Thanks.

[Pete]

They sure do. Thanks for reading.

[Junction]

Hypocrisy is out there. I like the hell bent tone of the poem. It is playing I had enough of this bs.
I met a few in my day. Sometimes you can brush it off, and other times I might of cared more than
I should of. Good Poem---enjoyed reading it.

[Pete]

Thank you Junction. You made me laugh with "I had enough of this bs". That's pretty much how I felt when I wrote it.

[Alias]

Fantastic, punchy ending! Great imagery, great rage - perfect structure

[Pete]

Thanks, I appreciate that. It came to me yesterday in a mood and I just went with it. Wasn't sure how it would turn out. I'm glad you liked it and thanks you for taking the time to read it.