Notes About The Poem

Puttin On the Ritz

Puttin’ on the Ritz

She went to London where the gold-paved streets
glittered not in rainy foggy mornings.
In vain she knocked on doors in search of fame.

Uttered from beyond thick lighted cigars,
idle promises drifted hazily,
like suffocating smoke that filled the air.

Her talents never stood an acting chance,
but offers came dependant on her looks,
the long toned legs, attractive sex appeal.

Clinging to hope, she bit at proffered bait,
she gave her all, and acted at his will,
away from the bright lights of screen or stage.

She played the part of mistress to her man;
she lacked for nothing and lived like a queen,
but in the process she gave up her dreams.

She had the jewellery and choice of clothes
most fashionable and extravagant,
while hobnobbing with high society.

Sadly, she lived a life that was not hers,
following a dull script of make-belief.
Her heart was torn, her soul deceived and worn.

The pain within became too much to bear.
She knew no joy; had only grief to share.
Her life she took – a victim of despair.

------------------------------------------------------
Paul Callus ~ 6th September, 2015
Contest: Puttin’ on the Ritz
Sponsor: Judy Konos
Placed 1st
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Johnson Avatar
September 12, 2015 at 8:16 PM
Very different interpretation. Congratulations on your worthy win. Joyce
Callus Avatar
September 13, 2015 at 4:24 PM
Thank you for stopping by, Joyce. Hope you are keeping well:) Glad that you like my Puttin’ on the Ritz entry. ~ Take care. // paul
Y. Avatar
September 12, 2015 at 7:22 PM
Paul, congratulations on your win with this moving piece, it was well deserved:-)Alexis 7
Callus Avatar
September 13, 2015 at 4:28 PM
Thank you for reading and liking, Alexis:) (I admire your strength and fighting spirit...you make a great mum!!) Regards // paul
A. Sharma Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 10:58 PM
Exquisite write Paul! Congrats on a wonderful win!
Callus Avatar
September 12, 2015 at 3:22 PM
Thank you, Upma. I have just read your winning entry...it's a most worthy winner! // paul
Dietrich Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 9:38 PM
big congrats, Paul . I do believe all were winners.... almost. hahaha!
Callus Avatar
September 12, 2015 at 3:10 PM
Thank you Andrea! Glad you can still laugh at a disappointing result. I did enjoy your entry:) // paul
Allison Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 4:15 PM
Dropping back with my congrats Paul:-) hugs Jan xx
Allison Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 4:50 PM
its getting autumnal here Paul the trees are starting to turn - i love this time of year:-) hugs jan xx
Callus Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 4:48 PM
Thank you, Jan. ~ At last we have had some rain and the temperature has gone slightly down! Hugs // paul
A  Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 1:20 PM
Paul, Congrats on your "Puttin On The Ritz WIN.." SKAT
Callus Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Thank you for being a messenger of good news, Skat:) hugs // paul
Konos Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Thank you for being in my contest
Callus Avatar
September 10, 2015 at 2:37 PM
It has been my pleasure, Judy:) Thank you! ~ All the best. // paul
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 8, 2015 at 2:28 AM
Wow, this one turned dark cast...it is the way of people who live their lives for luxury and money, they are often left feeling empty. I used to know someone exactly like this, after her looks faded she lost everything. A great entry Paul.
Callus Avatar
September 8, 2015 at 4:41 PM
Hi Connie:) The lure of success is like a magnet and it effects one's balanced judgment. When the lustre fades depression can set in. ~ Thank you for reading; hope life is being kind:) Take care. // paul
Laurie Avatar
September 8, 2015 at 1:43 AM
Hello Paul... nicely written story Paul with the moral... be true to yourself - thank you Paul - good luck - Lindsay
Callus Avatar
September 8, 2015 at 4:44 PM
Thank you Lindsay. Living a life of make-belief can easily lead to great unhappiness. ~ All the best. // paul
Allison Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 4:56 PM
I love your take on the theme Paul - Marilyn Monroe sprang to mind when I read it and i see from the comments I was right - i have a large print of her in my lounge:-) good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx
Callus Avatar
September 7, 2015 at 5:36 AM
Thank you Jan! I tried to look at the theme from a different angle; hopefully I succeeded. Good health and happiness are more important than success. hugs // paul
Muideen Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Your write is wow to read.... You brought your write in the mind and sense of the readers.... I'm in awe of your write........A.M.
Callus Avatar
September 7, 2015 at 5:25 AM
I am pleased that you enjoyed this poem, Afolabi. Thank you for reading! // paul
Onclaud Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 6:26 AM
wow, a different take on the theme, paul.. so well done, so utterly deep!.. huggs
Callus Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 8:48 AM
I do rely on your feedback, Nette! Thank you for being such a supportive friend. Hugs // paul
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 1:19 AM
Excellent write Paul. colors of life you displayed it well here... hugs.. =`)~Olive Eloisa
Callus Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 3:46 AM
If I get it right, it's good evening to you Olive_eloi:) Thank you for reading and for the nice comments. Take care & hugs // paul
Dietrich Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 12:59 AM
oh my, you turned the theme into tragedy. And that is part of life as well! Great innovative way to do the topic, Paul! Mine is so lame (will be posting it by the end of the week!)
Callus Avatar
September 6, 2015 at 3:43 AM
Good morning Andrea! Putting on the Ritz could be both funny or tragic; I chose the latter. Used 10 syllable unrhymed lines, but could not help using rhyme in the final stanza! Will check out your Ritz entry. // paul
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