Image by Martin Gommel via Flickr
Your appearance and your manner led me
to believe you were a principled and virtuous man.
A man who held himself higher to a standard of tenets and views.
You went through the motions of devotion and precepts that I believed too.
But as time went by and you found yourself accomplished,
the true you emerged showing greed and narcissism.
The mask you hide behind is spirituality and an
intellect that plays deceitful and clever.
Your conceit and condescending behavior
was your downfall and now you have nothing.
Your delusion holds you fast in her grip;
you still believe you’re something you’re not.
You’re a shell of a ghost-white human
clinging tightly to illusions and fear.
Monday’s entry for Poetry Potluck; Lies, Deception and Misrepresentation; http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/
apollorose
/ March 20, 2011Some find it hard to let go an illusion because in their minds it has become reality. This reminds me of Dorian Gray.
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011You’re exactly right, Apollorose. People start believing their own fairy tale about themselves.
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liv2write2day
/ March 20, 2011Sad to say, I’ve known someone like this…hiding behind the mask of spirituality.
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011Sad to say–me too.
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Jamie Dedes
/ March 20, 2011Wow! Great depth of feeling and sadly true … Up to us to be a bit cautious, I guess.
Well done, Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011Yes, up to us to beware. Thanks, Jamie.
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Life: Between the lines
/ March 21, 2011ouch! double ouch!
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011Yeah–painful!
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Becca Givens
/ March 21, 2011bravo on the prompt! well done ~ becca
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011Thanks so much, Becca!
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bendedspoon
/ March 21, 2011Sometimes some people think that the robe or the Word or the title is more than enough to cover them. Thanks for writing the truth! 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011Yes, they think it’s enough–but if you look closely you’ll see something else…
You’re welcome, Bendedspoon!
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eclipseofthemoon
/ March 21, 2011Wow..Straight to the point!
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011It’s an ugly truth isn’t it.
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seabell
/ March 21, 2011A story of deception well told…
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011I appreciate that, Seabell.
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booguloo
/ March 21, 2011Tough to find out.
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011It’s a tough lesson for sure.
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Marlee-I Mystic
/ March 21, 2011How magnificent the way you captured that feeling of revelation when the mask has been removed. Great job!
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011It was a revelation–thank God I finally could see!
Thanks so much, Marlee!
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fiveloaf
/ March 21, 2011well put gayle- i really like .. here’s mine.. http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/paper-scribbles/
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011I’m glad you liked this, Kris–thank you.
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trisha
/ March 21, 2011brilliant portrayal of deception. a wonderfully weaved poem gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011I so appreciate your comments for me, Trisha.
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trisha
/ March 22, 2011you are most welcome.
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Jingle
/ March 21, 2011love it, beautiful story on the theme.
A++
🙂
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011Thanks, Jingle! xoxo
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Kim Nelson
/ March 21, 2011Wow! Intense accusations and analysis. The form is terrific.
Hee’s mine:
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2010/05/19/dysfunction/
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011I appreciate those strong words of yours, Kim. Thank you!
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lizbethsgarden
/ March 21, 2011Very powerful and creepy, too.
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2011Thank you, Morganna. Yes, very creepy–avoid these types at all cost!
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2zpoint
/ March 22, 2011These words are a dark and bitter mirror to look upon for the truth that they speak. I would like to believe that rather than showing ones true self, once they got money, that a good person became consumed and lost…maybe then I might convince myself that people aren’t just evil and myself just gullible. Sadly though I know a few people like this and I could not honestly tell you which came first the evil or the money. I just like to try to see the good in people even in spite of the darkness they exude. Great piece Gayle
a lot to think about.Peace be with you.
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Bodhirose
/ March 22, 2011It is hard to think that there are people like this in the world, Stewart. But sadly I think most people have come in contact with them–hopefully unscathed! In my experience this person was deceitful and arrogant to begin with but it increased greatly as he became more successful with money. Bless you for wanting to see the best in people but some are not to be trusted. Some enjoy hurting and manipulating others.
Thank you for your very thoughtful remark here. I so appreciate you sharing.
Peace…
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tigerbrite
/ March 22, 2011Bang on theme. Greedy people build a wall of deception around themselves to hide the hatred they feel. Very difficult to distinguish when emotionally involved with them.
My posting this week is the first poem I uploaded to my blog, it was written just after the death of my father. Couldn’t seem to address the theme.
http://planetcyberluz.com/2010/04/16/end-of-days/
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Bodhirose
/ March 22, 2011You are so right, Tigerbrite. It’s very difficult to distinguish the truth especially if you are very young and inexperienced with the ways of some very ugly ones.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here–I agree with you.
Now let me go see what you have shared…
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tolbert
/ March 23, 2011Good stuff! Unfortunately we all know or have known people like this…very full of themselves and floating like a helium filled balloon headed right for a big prick (thorn, I mean)…We seem to have
confused the pursuit of happiness with the gloss of outer beauty or
the lie of prestige and/or wealth. Good reminder, thank you.
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Bodhirose
/ March 23, 2011Thank you, Tolbert. If you place yourself above others–floating over their heads–you’re bound to be “pricked”! What goes up must come down…
I appreciate you sharing your observations–I agree.
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Aleza
/ March 24, 2011Looks & manners can be deceiving … and THAT is no illusion!
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Bodhirose
/ March 24, 2011True sister!
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dragonkatet
/ March 24, 2011Having personally and intimately dealt with someone who had NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) I can say you truly hit the nail on the head with this one! They are the ultimate deceivers…of both others and themselves. This was a powerful write. I’m sorry you had to experience such a…person.
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Bodhirose
/ March 24, 2011That’s exactly what my person had–NPD, as well as perhaps being a sociopath–extreme.
I’m sorry you had to experience such a person too. Thank you for sharing your observations and comments with me.
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43spiders
/ March 27, 2011lovely but I can not help but feel sorrow for surely such things can not be of choice hence a Disorder ;s…. very well written, regards Spider…!
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Bodhirose
/ March 28, 2011I would agree–it must be a disorder. But from what I have discovered, it can be difficult to treat because the people that have it don’t see themselves as having a problem. You have to acknowledge it to treat it successfully.
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Jamie Dedes
/ March 28, 2011Gayle, I hope all is well. Doesn’t seem you are posting or visiting as much as usual. Missing your sweet gentle cheer. Blessings …
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Bodhirose
/ March 28, 2011Jamie, I haven’t been as present lately that’s true. I had a sister here for two weeks–always takes away from blogging as much when someone’s visiting. All day yesterday I was at a workshop here in town with my two daughters, one’s husband and another friend. Didn’t feel so good last night and today(I do suffer from fibromyalgia)–I seem to be feeling better though now as the day has gone on. Thank you for missing me and your sweet concern. It really means a lot to me.
In Metta…
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Jamie Dedes
/ March 29, 2011Hugs! and Metta!
Pleased to have your sweet spirit back here with us.
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Aaron Smigielski
/ July 26, 2011A very clear and well structured poem. Its message is quite clear.
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011Thank you, Aaron–I appreciate your visit.
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hedgewitch
/ July 26, 2011Far too many let the world and their own heads come before the things that matter. Thanks for sharing with dVerse tonight.
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011Oh, you are so right.
You’re welcome–it’s a pleasure to share.
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Andy
/ July 26, 2011Ha! You hit the nail on the head with this one!
I have known a few like this…hiding behind the mask of spirituality, but like my wise mom always says “foolish pride comes before a fall”.
Nice entry.
I’m here:
The Evening Wind
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011Oh, your mother is a wise one–she’s so right.
Thank you, Andy, for your visit and sharing your thoughts with me.
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brian
/ July 26, 2011ugh…i have seen this man…clueless in his own divinity…well penned…you have it right on being hard to treat, this fits one of my patients well…
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011It’s got such a grip on this one–whew, a bad case! I’ve always heard that the narcissist is tough to treat because they can’t see that they have a problem–they think everyone else is the problem. There’s nothing to do but leave them…
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Daydreamertoo
/ July 26, 2011Better to always be who you are than to put on an act and be found out to be a deciever.
I know we are many things to different people and we act accordingly. We are different at work, than at home and such. So, to some extent we each play many roles per day but, mostly its in honesty. Like a parent acts differenty to their children than with their adult friends etc. But this man seems as if he lived a double life and the double life was all fantasy of what he wished he was and not what he was in reality.
What a shame to be decieved by someone like that, the let down must be so painful.
Your prose is powerful and hits home right where its supposed to.
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts here. You’re right about people acting different ways with different people but we don’t change our entire selves to impress or deceive others.
This person thinks he is a highly evolved person and that people just can’t understand him because the rest of us are not on his level. He truly is delusional and I have seen his karma catching up with him. He has hurt many people. Eventually you reap what you sow…
Thank you for your kind compliment too.
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Heaven
/ July 26, 2011I am happy to see you link up …nice to read this…very meaningful
and powerful indeed.
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011Very happy to have you visit and leave such a nice comment–thank you. It’s very late here–I’ll have to do my visit to you tomorrow.
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Gay
/ July 26, 2011Some people will wait for a long time to make their conquest, but in time the nature of the individual will out. As soon as one discerns it, one needs to cut them loose. Often they’re skillful in reeling their prey back in. Well considered.
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011I am extremely grateful that I was not reeled back in!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me–I appreciate that.
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ALIVE aLwaYz
/ July 27, 2011Damn this one is right on, so true, always surprised we are to compare those two people, the day it started and today, if they’re same it’s a bliss and I applaud.
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Bodhirose
/ July 27, 2011Thanks for enjoying my expression here–getting out some feelings.
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waysidewordgarden
/ July 28, 2011A sad state but true it is… well written.
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Bodhirose
/ July 28, 2011Yes…thank you.
My grandmother owned a plant nursery named Wayside Gardens. Your name reminded me of my visits there when I was a child.
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Tom Eliot
/ July 28, 2011This is soothingly vitriolic – which i totally adored.
Love the structure too.
A satisfying growl at the self defeating nature of the blown up male ego….
Not me you understand….. Im humble and not like the other guys…ahem!
Great write
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Bodhirose
/ July 28, 2011Now that’s kind of an oxymoron isn’t it–soothingly vitriolic–but I love it!
Lots of growling in that relationship…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me here, Tom, and your nice compliment. So very glad to hear that you’re not like the other guys!
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Sharp Little Pencil
/ July 28, 2011A paean to the folly of greed, of arrogance – and about being told off when it’s shown in all its tainted, blood-stained “glory.” This is shatteringly great, Bodhirose. Really tough to read, and the tougher the read, the more real it often is, to me, at least. Peace, Amy
One to laugh on, Poets United prompt, Grass:
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/grass/
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Bodhirose
/ July 28, 2011If nothing else, if people can relate to what I’ve shared and know they aren’t alone in their struggles–well that would be great. Tough stuff happens to a lot of people out there–like, maybe, everyone!
I’m drawn more to “real” reads too. I’m glad you liked this, Amy–thank you much.
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Jo Bryant
/ July 28, 2011such a dark powerful look into a dark personality
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Bodhirose
/ July 28, 2011Yes, one that was in my life for way too long.
Thank you for your visit and comment, Jo.
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Olivia
/ July 31, 2011Just why does it sound so familiar?
Gayle, quite beautifully you have expressed how it goes.. although something that is not so wonderful to say the least..
The travel is so predictable and often obvious.. I wonder when will they try and break the pattern. Perhaps it’s time we stop taking it all!
Many Hugs xoxoxoxoxox
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Bodhirose
/ July 31, 2011No, not so wonderful to be duped by a delusional person! I was very young and gullible–now my radar is out for these types. I keep far, far away!
Thanks for coming by, Olivia.
Hugs,
Gayle xoxo
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