Bernard Chan | + Follow Poet |
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A Helpless Predator In a Bar

His eyes stealthily sweep the room
For women uncrowded by men or age.    
To temptations he’s secretly doomed,
His desire rattles the bars of a cage. 

For women uncrowded by men or age
He yearns in rapture-colored dreams. 
His desire rattles the bars of a cage,
In him a mourner of lost youth screams. 

He yearns in rapture-colored dreams, 
Numbed by the routine of domestic bliss. 
In him a mourner of lost youth screams, 
His ears ringing with time’s taunting hiss. 

Numbed by the routine of domestic bliss, 
To temptations he’s secretly doomed. 
His ears ringing with time’s taunting hiss, 
His eyes stealthily sweep the room.

Copyright © Bernard Chan | Year Posted 2018

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Susan Ashley Date: 10/7/2018 7:48:00 PM Your pantoum is amazing, Bernard. It tells the sad story of a married but bored man on the prowl for a romantic side dish with stunning imagery:'His eyes stealthily sweep the room For women uncrowded by men or age.' - wow! what an emotional impact.. and true to pantoum form, the same line takes on a new hue in your 2nd stanza: 'For women uncrowded by men or age He yearns in rapture-colored dreams.' - just fantastic! Sensational poetry my friend.. Warmest wishes ~Susan Login to Reply Bernard Chan Date: 10/8/2018 5:13:00 AM Susan, your lovely comment is much appreciated. This is my first stab at a pantoum and I'm glad you liked it, as I know you've done a few amazing pantoums of your own. Thank you so much!

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 10/7/2018 9:30:00 AM Out of this world. Login to Reply Bernard Chan Date: 10/8/2018 5:08:00 AM Maureen, thank you indeed.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/7/2018 6:18:00 AM I have no idea why it will not let me delete comment number one, so I can give you comment number two, now it is comment number three. I am okay with this. Login to Reply Bernard Chan Date: 10/8/2018 5:00:00 AM One poem gets 3 comments from Caren. I must be doing something right :)))

Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/7/2018 6:16:00 AM I feel your pantoum should be the entry poem of a romance novel, Bernard. Wow! I am giantly impressed, and diving in for a second read. "for women uncrowded by men or age" is hilarious to me, but the rest of it seem really hot. Login to Reply Bernard Chan Date: 10/8/2018 5:02:00 AM So glad you liked it :)

Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/7/2018 6:16:00 AM I feel your pantoum should be the entry poem of a romance novel, Bernard. Wow! I am giantly impressed, and diving in for a second read. "for women uncrowded by men or age" is hilarious to me, but the rest of it seem really hot. What a terrific contrast! Well-done my friend! Login to Reply Bernard Chan Date: 10/8/2018 5:00:00 AM Maybe I'll try to write the romance novel myself too. Thank you so much, Caren! :)