One Face Too Many

Rambling again

There you are with your plastic Ken-doll face,

Photo-shopped perfection, in time and space.

Those ooo’s and aww’s…and society’s applause,

You wear sainthood with such humility and grace.

 

Yet behind closed doors the guise melts away,

Shriek your obscenities, oh bird of prey.

The façade crumbles…the demon rumbles

One face too many…a strategic display.

 

There you are in your mask of silver and gold,

Hammered into perfection, the idealized mold.

Those approving nods…from paragons and gods,

And with thirty bright coins you’re bought and sold.

 

Yet behind closed doors let pretenses fade,

                Scream your invectives, sharpen your blade.

The façade crumbles…the demon rumbles

One face too many…the deceiver's charade.

 

Author's Note

Not sure where this one came from...but it felt good writing it anyway.
Still a little rough...any thoughts?

Reviews

[Tony Jordan]

There are very few who are straight - they show a different face to different people (who hasn't laughed too heartily at a boss's joke in front of a spouse/partner only to have them look as if they don't know who you are?) but then there are those who take it to a whole other level.
This needed to be said. It was said. I hope it did you good ReedWrite. It felt good to read.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Tony.
I'm not sure if felt good to write...but you're right...it needs to be said. Unfortunately, those that need to see it, probably wouldn't recognize it pertained to them. Thank you for reading and commenting. Appreciate it.

[aLittlePain]

Oh I was married to that guy! ...lol very clever pen, artfully crafted. We only really know what one allows us to see. Dope flow! R xo

[ReedWrite]

Hahahaha...we were married to the same guy??? He sure gets around, doesn't he?
Thank you, Ray!

[Coyote Poetry]

Very nice poetry. I like the twist of words leading to good ending.
"The façade crumbles…the demon rumbles
One face too many…a clever charade."
Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[ReedWrite]

Thank you Coyote, for popping in to read and comment. My favorite line in this piece was: 'The façade crumbles…the demon rumbles'...not sure why...sort of felt right...lol. Again, thank you for the great review.

[Coyote Poetry]

It was a great statement and you are welcome.

[Paul Bell]

I think we're all guilty of this. A face for every occasion.
Though Politicians take it to a higher level than most.

[ReedWrite]

Yesss...I was actually thinking of my ex when I penned this...but I also thought of politicians as well...always one face and image projected for the masses...quite another behind closed doors. Thank you Paul for taking time to read and comment. Appreciate it.

[D Connolly]

This speaks to me about the current state of affairs in regards to social media. So many people put their best face out there, and want to world to approve of them. When the camera is off, and they're there by themselves, it's a completely different story. "Shrieking obscenities" and "rumbling demons" makes me think of how so many people hate themselves because they see these perfect images, and they can't achieve them, so they again, put on that mask and show the world something fake, and maybe even do the whole plastic surgery thing... sad

[ReedWrite]

Hey, D! Thank you so much for this awesome review. Glad you liked this piece! The shrieking obscenities was one of my favorite lines...and my very favorite was the repeating line: The façade crumbles…the demon rumbles...not sure why, but that line resonated with me a lot. Again...thanks for the read and review!

[barleygirl]

This is a brilliant concept well executed. The title seemed like it could mean several different things, upon first glance, but as I read your poem & realized how you were using this line, it rang out with a clever & recognizable brilliance. Nice rhyme & word choices to convey lots of sensations, along with harsh observations. The kind of person this reminds me of is the narcissist, with which my long life has been filled. It's all about image, how they come across, but nobody knows the real human underneath. You've shown us this with vivid word-crafting.

[ReedWrite]

Awwww...BG! I can always count on you for such a rich, rewarding review. Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment. Your observations are always spot-on and in-depth. Hugs.

[Samuel Dickens]

And the world is just full of false fronts that betray ugliness within. I'm far from an authority on poems, but it seems you're very good at. With great rhymes and rhythm, you present solid thoughts.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Samuel...really appreciate that you stopped by to read and review this piece.

[PhoenixDown]

Really great work, again.

"Shriek your obscenities, oh bird of prey." - what a thrilling scene, great line & image.

"There you are in your mask of silver and gold,
Hammered into perfection, the idealized mold." - another awesome line. Really neat, eerie imagery. I think of emotionless faces - masks as you say. If you saw 300, like the Immortal, sort of.

Regardless, this is another well written piece. If we are each a cornucopia, then you are abundant, my friend. Thank you for sharing this Pam.

Phoenix

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Phoenix! Yes, I saw 300...I remember.
Appreciate your awesome review and all the kind words.
When you write the words, they seem right...but sometimes looking back over them there is always that need to 'touch it up', here and there...but glad you enjoyed it.

[PhoenixDown]

Editing is an on-going process, much like a lot of life. I did.
You're welcome.

[Lorry]

Sounds like we know some of the same people :)
Or maybe everyone knows someone who has that public façade that holds in the ugly so well. Reminds me of the song You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you. I'm pretty sure it's less than thirty bright coins they soul sell for though. That phrase reminds me of a Rodriguez song too. I think I listen to way too much music :)
I like your style with this piece, not so much anger, as tutting and head shaking at their posturing in public. Nicely captured.

[ReedWrite]

To be honest, I have no idea where this poem came from...okay, it came from my hand...I wrote it...I just have no idea what fueled the words. I can't wax philosophical here...or come across as inspired. Thank you for reading and commenting, Nemo. I always love to see your reviews under my pieces!

[Lorry]

No worries. Sometimes we just pick up on stuff, doesn't have to be personal to be real.