The man upstairs


Keys rattle,
door slowly closes ...
An echo of footsteps walk upstairs..

You can hear his bedroom door close,
a little bump as he sits on his bed,
then there is just nothing..

They think he is angry,
raging at the world,
anti social, but at work he smiles,
jokes and shows a jovial side,
like a 'Pirate of the Caribbean'

but in his home he seems lost,
like a hollow house.

Nobody notices the scruffy hair,
nor the unshaved grisly stubble -
of a once debonair gentleman.

He once illuminated like a lighthouse, 
but now seems invisible,
with faint tears,
hidden behind 'Johnny Depp' eyes -
in shallow depths his spirit drowns.

His room is dark with a somber hue,
with misty windows and fading walls.
A scent of suffering like 'Edward Scissorhands.'
His mirror reflects agony of an unspoken soul,
resembling a faded photograph - he is a ghost.

He feels he is a 'dead man from hell,'
but paying for the sins of others -
when in reality his pride is crucifying
his conscious into realms of future regret.

In his theatre of solitude,
he is an anti-hero in his own mute madness,
where he feels safe - forgotten.
A place to breathe his last breath, 
which was reserved for his '
abandoned' butterfly beloved -
now lost in a storm.

Locked in the observatory of loneliness.
His glory is to remain a secret puzzle
in his silent story of suffering -
to decompose like an ageing painting -
forever abstract leaving the viewer pondering.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Herrick Avatar
December 28, 2023 at 4:41 PM
This is absolutely amazing! This is absolutely amazing! This...
Goldsmith Avatar
December 28, 2023 at 11:38 AM
WOW!!! I really enjoyed reading your creative write/story/great ending. Guess life had gotten to him. "Happy New Year 2024" .................
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
December 28, 2023 at 1:17 AM
In an earlier post, I stated that a person doesn't choose loneliness, but it's the aftereffects of someone who chooses to be alone. Isolation would be sought, much like that in the 'Wild West. People distance themselves for reasons unknown. Proximities and lines are drawn as people pocket themselves to make a go of it and settle down, or move on, to the next pocketful of miracles--spatial of souls
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
December 28, 2023 at 1:21 AM
You'll make a great storyteller, Silent One, and if that line is crossed--I'm hoping for a signed copy. Cheers 2024, Aloha, William
Seeker Avatar
December 28, 2023 at 12:15 AM
a vivid portrayal taking us deep into the mind of he who is on the very edge of despair and depression, just before the tumbler falls taking him into a bottomless abyss. a marvellous write, Silent One
Williams Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Wow, my type of poetry/story read. The imagery is outstanding with just a hint of mystery, wondering about so many things Nobody notices the scruffy hair, nor the unshaved grisly stubble - of a once debonair gentleman. What brought him to this state? Forever abstract, leaving the viewer pondering. Indeed, it has me pondering too. Was it all to do with the lost butterfly? Anyway, it ticked all the boxes, a fave for me. Hugs
Wilde Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Beautiful and descriptive of a man I know so well.
Hind Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Deep melancholy... could feel the dullness of what was once light.
Rose  Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 2:50 PM
wow I read this while listening to the music in the background, you don't miss a beat, and my heart feels this S O :(
Iqbal Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 11:10 AM
Ah this prose is so moving.. struggles after losing a loved one, you portrayed them so well here! That people even forget to take care of themselves and still they put up a happy persona for the world to see that they are alive and living. But being alive and actually living are really different. Grief, loss, pain, loneliness, all too well depicted here in your piece.. they can eat a man silently from inside! A brilliant write my brother, so full of emotions!
One Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Thank you for reading..I appreciate your feedback..
Pandit Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 9:27 AM
His mirror reflects agony of an unspoken soul, resembling a faded photograph - he is a ghost---that describes perfectly a lonely soul suffering in silence unable to appreciate the world around him. A dead man--yes, dead while alive--is the portrait you convey brilliantly, SO.
One Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Thank you Vijay always nice to hear from you..
Empress Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 8:50 AM
This is such a moving poem that depicts the life of a man that choses to be alone, in certain situations, where he feels unwelcome unseen and unheard, so he prefers silence over socializing whilst he can be himself around strangers. I think many who joke around and make others smile actually have alot of emotions and strife that they carry within in solitude. Putting on a cold mask to hide their inner turmoils, i felt this poem so very much and i cant help but tear up. So many men out there supp
One Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 1:18 PM
Thank you for your wonderful feedback..some feel too stubborn or too misunderstood to talk about how life makes them feel..
Empress Avatar
December 27, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Suppress their emotions as they feel like thats how it should be … etc. the flow of this is brilliant. And i love how you’ve written “ A place to breathe his last breath, which was reserved for his ' abandoned' butterfly beloved - now lost in a storm.” Gosh this made me feel so very much. So heart touching and soulful, and your subtle use of alliterations and soft and smooth flow of your word weaving truly is impressive! Poignant tale this is. I absolutely loved this, and its. Another fave for me
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace