Jane Doe

Her legacy, a carnage littered place. A crassness hidden by a comely face. How many roles she played to such acclaim The naive lovers crushed with cool disdain. Such cruelty, in order to succeed, Disguised by gifted wit to mask her greed. When front doors opened, back doors quietly closed, A sense of flawless timing, one supposed. When those betrayed per-chance began to meet, Comparing scars and tales of her deceit, She sensed a coming rage was bearing down And disappeared to bless another town. One speculates her looks began to fade; An ending of the money-men parade. The crushing weight of countless dues unpaid; A pauper's grave, the toll of evil ways. Gene Bourne. 06-14-13.

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Robert Candler

Date: 2/3/2015 9:25:00 AM

How involvement and experience and disrespect flowed through this short bio with best selected words and imagery to an inevitable end. Thar's bona fide talent in yer bones. Thanks for a good read.

Michael J Lewis

Date: 8/14/2014 6:04:00 AM

Neatly constructed poem. I like the theatre imagery in the first two stanzas - "roles she played to such acclaim", "mask", "front doors opened, back ones quietly closed", like a scene from a Whitehall farce. Then the denoument of the third stanza as the protaganists converge, finally the "just desserts" in the end. The rhythm and rhyme well handled, enhancing the theme, not merely line fillers as found in so many poems. Yeh, I like this. Cheers, Mike.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/14/2014 8:11:00 PM

I appreciate your comprehensive critique, Mike. I enjoy the challenge of writing in meter and rhyme. Your well, thought out comments are a welcome. Cheers to you...Your PS friend....Gene.

Elmer Candol

Date: 8/13/2014 9:15:00 PM

Amazing poem. you create a very good one

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/13/2014 10:22:00 PM

Thanks, Elmer, for the comment. I appreciate it....your PS friend...Gene.

Deborah Kelley

Date: 8/12/2014 4:51:00 PM

Well written-very creative.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 11:03:00 PM

Thanks, Deborah for your generous comment. ...Your PS friend.....Gene.

Bandofpoets Bop

Date: 8/12/2014 2:21:00 PM

Creative, yet expected. Very well written. Enjoyed visualizing as I read and nodded in agreement. Thank you for sharing.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 10:52:00 PM

Thank you for commenting, BOP. I guess most of us have come across people like Jane. I appreciate your comments...Gene

Prasenjit Banerjee

Date: 8/12/2014 11:28:00 AM

Great poem, The rhythm is really mesmerising. It's a treat to any sensitive soul

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 11:01:00 PM

Thanks, Prasenjit, for your thoughtful comments. Your PS friend....Gene.

Thomas Mansfield

Date: 8/11/2014 6:39:00 AM

An excellent read. So well written. Filled with impending and inevitable doom, with almost religious connotations. Sad and prophetic. I find it even more profound - because where I work (in Nigeria), I see this unfortunate decline into oblivion on an all too frequent occasion. Thank you for sharing with us.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 4:01:00 AM

Thanks so much, Thomas. You bring out some interesting points.....Your PS friend, .....Gene

Charlene Mccutcheon

Date: 8/10/2014 10:34:00 PM

Gene, I wish I could express how I felt when I read that poignant poem. Sad but true we will each pay our dues when it comes to evil ways unless of course we repented. It was so well written and I had to read it several times it was so amazing. Charlene

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 5:17:00 AM

Poor Jane. She had no ID on her. I guess she will always bear that name.....Thanks, Charlene for your generous comments. Your PS friend....Gene

Warner Baxter

Date: 8/10/2014 9:54:00 PM

Gene, my man an awesome write with a great story. A good beginning, a nice middle body, with a strong ending. a master piece Warner:)

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 5:37:00 AM

Warner...your comments are much appreciated. You sure make a writer feel good about themselves...and I thank you. Your PS friend....Gene.

Margaret Franceschini

Date: 8/10/2014 7:15:00 PM

the rhyming is perfect, although I am a young poet, I have learned more from reading yours. This reminds me of a movie star, with her hidden secrets that finally come to the surface by others. either way well written, hugs

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 11:05:00 PM

I appreciate your comments, Margaret. I think we've all seen "Jane" in one form or another. Your PS friend....Gene.

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 8/10/2014 5:43:00 PM

besides the fact that i think at one point i dated her too i love this piece of work. it is flawlessly crafted and speaks clearly to the reader. just a delight to read. thank you.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 5:31:00 AM

So, Maurice...you bear the scars. thanks for you clever comments. They are appreciated. Your PS friend.....Gene

Gary Bateman

Date: 8/10/2014 5:12:00 PM

Gene, A very thoughtful and well-written poem with compelling imagery. Your rhyming sequence is certainly well employed. I enjoyed your poem immensely. "Jane Doe" portrays and visualizes to me a somewhat common situation that we all read about from time-to-time in newspaper articles throughout the USA. Cheers and Best Wishes, Gary Bateman.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 10:58:00 PM

Cheers and best wishes to you, Gary. I appreciate your interesting comments...Your PS Friend...Gene.

Steinar Gismeroy Olafsen

Date: 8/10/2014 4:27:00 PM

Very well written, Gene! Well done!

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 10:56:00 PM

Thanks so much, Steinar...Your comments are appreciated. Your PS friend.....Gene.

Judy Wood

Date: 8/10/2014 4:26:00 PM

Hi Gene, i enjoyed your poem. Lots of truth there.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 11:07:00 PM

Thanks for your comment, Judy. It's appreciated. Your PS friend...Gene.

Celestine Ikwuamaesi

Date: 8/10/2014 3:29:00 PM

Graphic, a sly character in skirt. Well done.

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 11:09:00 PM

She surely was. Celestine. I appreciate your comment. ....Your PS friend...Gene.

Ralph Sergi

Date: 8/10/2014 3:24:00 PM

Hi Gene: A beautifully descriptive poem of some women's capabilities. Well done, my compliments!

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/12/2014 11:12:00 PM

A journey to "the dark side", I guess. Thanks for your comment, Ralph...Your PS Friend...Gene.

Timothy Brumley

Date: 5/20/2014 1:42:00 PM

Wow! I see you've met my ex wife! For me this was a powerful poem that fanned the long forgiven coals of pain. I can see much improvement in your verse and that's what its all about Gene. I've never been much of a politician and am no good at offering platitudes, however if its honesty you want then I can be a wellspring. But never here below your poems for others to read, only by soup mail. This poem is worthy of you, keep it up my friend:)

Gene Bourne
Date: 5/20/2014 8:43:00 PM

Thanks, Timothy. Poor "Jane". No ID, no one even knew her at the end. I appreciate your comments. I have much reading to begin, here on PS. Thanks for the interest and advice. Your PS friend, Gene.

Frederic Parker

Date: 4/28/2014 10:05:00 PM

strong story line here Gene, sad though played out over and over, the last line hits home like a nail in her coffin

Gene Bourne
Date: 4/28/2014 10:58:00 PM

You hit the nail on the head and counter-sinked it, Fred. Thanks for commenting, my friend. Gene.