The Master Milliner

Sliding past the truth
with a tip of your proverbial hat,
a glorious creation
worn for such situations.

A slight of tongue,
a slip of your lip,
a veracity shill game
for nearsighted fools.

Secretive sighs as you weave
silver threads of charisma,
shimmery bits stick stubbornly
to the bottom of your shoes.

How they shine with your polished elixir,
sporting heels worn away
by the sharp shards of shame
that lie beneath their soles.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

You really do write so imaginatively and yet there's always a point to what you're telling. Maybe you mean to ask readers to sit up and take notice, to read more into your phrases (and finely formed they are - they are) and then - to see and think. Seems here, to me at least, the woman wonders if.. Is the man'snonchalant poise genuine or is he tensing up before puncing! What's he hiding, is that hat a means of respectability or is he hiding under its shadows? Cue music for the next episode!

How wonderful the old black/white movies were, still are. Used to belong to a club when at uni went ever month to see specials, films that live in the memory. Do you know The Third Man? Still sticks in my little mind!! x

[icelandicblue]

I love the Third Man...Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton...a classic, leaves Citizen Kane in the dust. I think it's one of my husband's favorite movie. He adores the genre. I love it too. I don't often include pictures but that one just beckoned to me. He was the man I was writing about! His nonchalant pose as you point out is not all that it pretends to be. Thanks so much Emma.

[emmajoy]

You're very welcome! Now off to listen to Harry's theme - was it played on a zither?!

[Baby Ricochet]

I like the flow of this. The picture's pretty cool too. Reminds me of film noir. That's definitely cool.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you...I love this pic and that era of film. Look closely she's holding a gun. The games not over I think.

[Baby Ricochet]

So she is. Nope, not over

[Lyn Anderson]

This speaks of treachery in the guise of something that looks better at first glance than it actually is.

[icelandicblue]

It most certainly is. Thanks KL.

[R Smith]

excellent writing Ice lady, one of your many hats here ? Brilliant poetry :)

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Richard.

[Matching Socks]

A master milliner can wear many hats to suit any occasion.
So many great lines in this one.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for your kind comments Ana.

[MomzillaNC]

Your imagery and themes are both engaging and pointed. Stunning lines: "Sliding past the truth" and "a veracity shill game"

My favorite, and, to me, the most pointed lines: "By the sharp shards of shame; that lie beneath their soles" could easily have read "souls"

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Momzilla. I am happy that you found things in it you enjoyed.

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome.

[s y e]

How they shine with your polished elixir,
sporting heels worn away
by the sharp shards of shame
that lie beneath their soles.

Oh I loved the truth in these lines, Anne. No matter the topic, your poetry is so eloquent and beautifully written. You're mega talented and I love reading you, you're an inspiration!

[icelandicblue]

Your comments make me heady. We write because we love to, but we also write because we must. Thank you sweet girl.

[Stonz P.]

Another great imagery filled piece with the deep meanings layered throughout. Absolutely love the dig at 'high-class society':
"by the sharp shards of shame
that lie beneath their soles."
Also, 'veracity shill' is something new I learned.
Thank you for sharing.

[icelandicblue]

The pleasure is all mine. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we all wear different hats, and some are worn to fool others...but under that hat? beneath the sole of the heart....the truth lies...and lies become shame...

polished shoes can do the fooling....reminds me of john powers' book "Do patent leather shoes really reflect up?"

love the use of Milliner here...reminded me of emily dickinson's poem "death in the opposite house"


and how she used it there...

[icelandicblue]

We do have a variety of hats and masks...all of us. Some use them nefariously some for self preservation. Reflective shoes...only on Easter all the rest of the year it was saddle shoes...you know those nuns, none of this and none of that. Thank you so much jacob as always for finding meaning in my words. I went and read "death in the opposite house'" measurements to take and then some. ; )

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and yes, i know those nuns....for sure...