The Phantom's Shadow

one of my compositions chosen to be featured in one global charity anthology, "The Day Dreamer's Journal" for the benefit of the American Cancer Society and a World Record Holder

Through the dark night on a starless and pale moonlight

He lurks from behind, nowhere to go to

Just wandering the streets, hiding from the crowd

His sullen face masked

But beyond that scarred countenance is a dark past

That continues to haunt him down.

He may be aloof, be misunderstood by silly, shallow people

Deep down he has a gentle heart

Yet hardened by great blows he has yet to forget.

 

In each one of us is the phantom’s shadow

Longing for more than just empathy

We struggle so much to find our niche in this judgemental world

To be embraced by all despite our frailties, shortcomings and flaws.

Why can’t the world just leave him alone

And erase the stigma of him being different from the rest, an outcast?

Give him space to breathe, to live peacefully, have his share and prove his worth?

 

Through the dark alleys, there is where he hides

Hoping his day would finally come and can break free from the chains

Like any one of us all he wishes for is to find true happiness

And all he’s asking from strangers is a little kindness

Everyone of us long to be accepted for who we are

To fit in the crowd and not be left out

How do we bring forth peace in this world

When all we do is throw stones at each other instead of living harmoniously?



Elizabeth E. Castillo © 2010 aka "Makatang Prinsesa"

Reviews

[Pax]

Intriguing, before I read everything, I was thinking of a horror piece perhaps that is because of the photo. You state facts, real truth about what's around us, Kabayan. More often every one of us have many mask, we wear them all the time, each one in different occasion, each one has a purpose - good or bad, like each one is a part of us, a certain piece of us, all those masked is like a puzzle that needs to be connected to find the real one that is truly you...

naturally, my guess is that being judgmental is part of our human nature, it is that we know how we can control our tongue, control our words not hurt or cause pain, I guess there are perks of that - it can bring good or bad, we just have to used it in a good cause not to cause more pain...

we all longed to be accepted, but before we need others acceptance, we must embraced ourselves first of who we are - unique in our own way of thinking, accept and understand our flaws. With all of that we become more understanding towards others because what you do is always a reflection upon yourself and what/who you are...

I just wanted to share this piece of mine that I remember while reading this:

the ghost ~
It was not me, who put you into the dark
It was not me, who put too much hate upon himself
It was not me, who made you so imperfect
Who choose this life for us?
It was you,
I am only a shadow in every decision.
The weak link, the forgotten will
of one’s owned heart, truly remains in the corner…
.
.
.
Simply the ghost, who whispers in total silence.

Great piece kabayan….

[Makatang Prinsesa]

This piece was actually rejected at first in a magazine in UK but then I have to find it a home so I submitted this again to an international anthology in the USA and then it was accepted hehe This piece is one of the well-loved pieces of my constant readers and they often ask me if the piece was written for them or if the poem was about them lol James Joyce is one of my writing influences, "stream of consciousness-style" but I have my own twist. Yes, the "phantom" here is a cast-away, being judged by people all because of his being different from them. Pag artist di ba connotation sa atin ay 'weird'. I embrace my weirdness for I believe I got so much to offer than the ordinary ones haha This is also included sa dark poetry anthology I was featured in sa UK, emo kasi ang theme eh :) The piece you shared here is also a good one, by the way :). Thanks for the wonderful, review :)

[Roy Mark Azanza Corrale..]

a shadow often one may lead into undertaking a soul searching , leading in the path anew to realm of dark side but interlocking reality embraces the psyche of a reader to be glued in returning what one come to realize a different realm experience

[Makatang Prinsesa]

thanks for the review, bro Roy :) welcome to Writers Cafe :)