Faces of Loneliness

I stare across the concrete ocean.
People evaporate like raindrops 
in the heat of summer skies. Dreams of love 
become the vapors, disappearing before my
eyes. I feel alive in the pain; yearning 
pours from the depths of my soul, 
all I abhor…loneliness pounds in my head, 
stealing my every thought. On crowded 
streets, I feel most alone. Amongst nameless 
strangers I am lost, a foreigner without a home.     

Then, there is she. I see her glide 
through the faces. She, the perfect one, 
with her flawless graces, her flowing hair;
she is but a shell of beauty, bare skin hiding 
perversity, she woos with plastic smiles. Why 
do they flock to her, entangled in her shallow words, 
swallowing her seeds of lies? Her laughter hangs 
in the blue. Why do they love her as she mangles? 
Do I sound jealous? No…just lonely.
I wonder if she is lonely, too.

I walk further up the road where concrete 
turns to pasture. Feet fall under rich, 
velvet skies. If only I would disappear
into the darkness, surround myself with   
anguished souls who wear masks 
of day-to-day life, masks of lies. Trivial tasks 
dilute their hours, passing the time until sleep 
relieves despair; lonely faces blanketed until morning
light shines into their empty corners. I cross 
familiar ground, places blinded by shadows. 
Reminded, I am one of them.

Stained-glass yesterdays shatter, slashing 
promises…I fall deeper and deeper 
into my wounds, crashing. Who will rescue me  
from bitterness? No answer…
The deafening silence of humanity 
never explained. I hear only my own wails of mercy 
to God. Love never fails…I hear the words from my 
own lips feigned, and I realize…I have never known love.
Some crawl to their deathbed, eyes fall, lonely;
their last words whispered to no one. Is this my fate? 
I wait...No answer.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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A  Avatar
October 23, 2013 at 8:11 PM
You are a beautiful writer Rhonda, awesome win.. LOVE -- SKAT
A   Avatar
October 22, 2013 at 10:13 PM
Rhonda, wow.. wow... love it... congrats..LINDA
Anglesey Avatar
October 22, 2013 at 3:30 PM
Congrats on your win. Most stunning line of all, "Amongst nameless strangers I am lost, a foreigner without a home. "
Ruebel Avatar
October 22, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Wonderful and beautiful write Rhonda! Congratulations on your first place win! I can see why.... Lov, Shar
Mehta Avatar
October 21, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Congrats on first place win, Rhonda
Adams Avatar
October 19, 2013 at 4:58 PM
congrats on your win :)
Hamilton Avatar
October 19, 2013 at 2:15 PM
congrats on fine win Shadow x smile
Puddifoot Avatar
October 19, 2013 at 5:18 AM
just one thing to say: "I told you so"! oh, and congrats, of course! :)
Roberts Avatar
October 18, 2013 at 7:01 PM
wow Rhonda a great poem/story loved it ...Seren
Jones Avatar
October 18, 2013 at 6:06 PM
Outstanding beginning to end...congratulations on your win...
Ryerson Avatar
October 18, 2013 at 3:57 PM
Oh mercy me Rhonda...All I had to do was read the first line and I was sucked right in to this sad gem of yours...'Why do they love her as she mangles?' Wow...
Richards Avatar
October 18, 2013 at 2:53 PM
Oh wow........this is painful and powerful to read........a true number one poem, dear Rhonda.....I would hope not to face such loneliness. WEll done!!!
Adams Avatar
October 14, 2013 at 4:36 PM
wow, this one is a powerful piece filled with such emotion, it draws the reader in... enjoyed this one today! Excellent poem!
Kendrick Avatar
October 14, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Emotive and expressive work that you have penned in this one..I could feel the pain..Many people live and die that way..Thanks for the visit to my page..Your presence was uplifting..Sara
Sirak Avatar
October 14, 2013 at 8:22 AM
This is a breathtakingly brilliant poem! The heartbreaking despair of loneliness permeates every image.
Puddifoot Avatar
October 14, 2013 at 7:17 AM
well, I think I may have just read the top winning poem in this contest! a superb piece of writing, fantastic imagery and feeling conveyed through that imagery...I have been very impressed with your work on numerous occasions before...
Mehta Avatar
October 14, 2013 at 6:45 AM
I enjoyed the poem and could feel it , Rhonda
Sivey Avatar
October 14, 2013 at 6:19 AM
Wow, this is a very powerful and insightful write my friend! I truly loved reading this amazing poem this morning! You have put me in awe by the splendor of this wondrous piece! What a fantastic poem, Great Work!!
Andresen Avatar
October 14, 2013 at 5:14 AM
- A very good poem Rhonda ..... but so heartbreaking. - Good luck in the contest! - Have a great new week! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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