Long Portrayed Poems

Long Portrayed Poems. Below are the most popular long Portrayed by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long Portrayed poems by poem length and keyword.


Premium Member Ballad of An Unsung Hero

Vivid flashbacks from bloodshed battles
his soul still ravaged by devious dictators,
cries from fallen comrades still echo in his mind,
but he continues to walk upon a path of pandemonium. 

Reluctantly he ventures forward with
vengeance portrayed through embers
engulfed within his frenzied eyes -
reflecting his mother's irreversible tears.

He is no mercenary nor a moneymaker,
just a repentant drifter, preparing for bedlam.

His purpose in sight, he closes his eyes, 
but struggles to erase his thoughts,
as the sins of his ancestry inflict his mind.

Angels attempt to light his path with harmonic chords,
but demons cause havoc strumming broken strings.

Entering the kingdom of dry fountains,
where God has no influence,
he is afraid to inhale its corrupt pollutant air.

Charcoal clouds rumble, 
before horizons shed unwelcome tears.

Before him platinum priests preach, 
as court jesters dance with sly grins,
hiding metaphorical daggers behind their backs.

To his right overfull hospitals have no beds,
as penniless patients plead to be cured.
To his left the self proclaimed vain king 
sits on his cardboard throne,
throwing dollars into a blazing fire place.
To his side his tyrannical hypocritical queen
hides behind her simulated smile,
oblivious to her narcissistic prince's incest desires
towards her clueless imbecilic princess.

It's an endless loop of greed cultivating corrupt seed,
which continues to breed nefarious creed.

Miserable masses attempt to break free,
but their liberation is dissected by cretinous henchmen. 

In the marketplace of Machiavellian thieves,
merchant pawns auction fragmented dreams.
 Sold to the biggest idiot!

His eyes full of disbelief, now rage with anarchy!
Intoxicated knights raise their half empty glasses,
as he calmly walks into this man made sand castle.

Gifts the cunning conniving cook some cyanide,
which he empties into his delectable broth.
Both watch as the elevated ones savour it like dogs,
perishing dramatically to their deserved downfall.

Beyond his childhood playground,
now with rusty swings and slides,
he places a crimson rose upon his mother's grave,
kissing her untouched headstone.

Expressionless he walks into the distance,
as storms wash away weak foundations.

Silent One
25 July 2018
© Silent One  Create an image from this poem.
Form: Ballad


Voyager

I am but an ordinary woman resting in my easy chair after a long day of work.
However I am about to transform myself into a great explorer. 
I travel through the many realms of space and time all from the safety of home.
My journeys cost me nothing but time spent in their enjoyment. 
I close my eyes tightly to contemplate whom I shall visit this night. 
Shall I sup with King Arthur and the knights of the table round as bards entertain,
Or feast on nectar and ambrosia with Zeus and Hera on Mount Olympus?
I could feel the angst of Cyrano’s unconfessed love for Lady Roxanne,
Or that of souls from Poe’s pen with his mocking raven quote it “nevermore.”
Choose to learn the life cycle of the bee, lion, or bear through a scientific work,
Or fly through space on a star ship with the creator of a masterpiece of science fiction.
I can recapture the whimsy of childhood while chasing cars with Clifford the big red dog,
Or take a brisk run with Pooh and Tigger through the hundred-acre wood. 
I may celebrate glorious new beginnings with Mother Mary and Baby Jesus, 
This holy birth portrayed forever within our sacred Bible.
I might also choose to contemplate death along with Caesar during his last moments.
Only the playwright Shakespeare could portray these with such tragic effect.
I may discover the secrets of gourmet recipes from master chefs,
Or learn how to sew a patchwork quilt of old fashion.
Vicariously visit the culture and religion of various peoples, 
Or study the history of my fellow Americans.
Maybe I should check the financial reports to see how the stock market is doing,
Or it might be pertinent to examine the latest advances in law.
Let me discover the origins of favorite words in a volume of etymology, 
Or distinguish quartz from quartzite whilst leafing through a book of gemology.
Books, yes volumes hold the secret keys to my voyage,
It is they that conduct me each night worldwide exploring.
I need not to plan ahead pack luggage or gather tickets,
Fore when I wish to escape this world a book is always close at hand.
I may travel safe and undisturbed through numerous times and places,
And leap out of one adventure headlong into the next without moving a limb.
When I am weary from the road or have chased enough beasts as warier fine,
I simply mark my place, fold the pages together gently, and retire to sweet sleep.

How Close Will You Get

HOW CLOSE WILL YOU GET?

There was a man who wanted someone to drive him ‘round
The hills and lanes and corners there in the little town.
And so he ran a want ad to hire someone one day,
“I want to hire a driver to take me on my way.”
He waited for the answers in his house upon the hill,
And one by one they came there to try this job to fill.
Now this old man was living not far from a steep cliff,
So as he talked to each man, this question he went with:
“You see that cliff out yonder?  I want to know how near
You’d drive my fancy carriage without a single fear.”
The first said, “I can take it within just ten short feet.”
“I’ll let you know,” he answered, “when my interviews are complete.”
The second said, “Just five feet’s how close that I can go.”
And once again he answered, “Good-bye, I’ll let you know.”
The third man was most daring as he portrayed his skill,
“I’ll come within just one foot of that steep rugged hill!”
The old man was impressed, but did not decide just yet,
And one more man was questioned to see how close he’d get.
The final man was summoned, and after he walked in
And he was asked that question, this driver said to him,
“Sir, I’m not going to try it to see how close I’d go;
It’s not that I am fearful or driving do not know,
But I feel it is safer to stay as far away
From there as I can drive you; that’s all that I can say.”
“You’re hired!” the old man shouted, “you start for me today!
I wanted one who’d keep me as far as he could stay
From that old cliff so rugged, lest he should lose control
And plunge my carriage over that rocky, rugged knoll.”
This story has a lesson on how we live our life
And fight the devil daily with all his tempting strife.
He lures us with life’s pleasures to see how far we’ll go
Before we stop and realize the sad, impending woe.
We’re better if we travel far from that rugged hill
And stay close to the Saviour and try to do His will.
The key to righteous living is not to take a bet
And gamble with the devil on just how close we’ll get
Without a sin or stumble and still control our life;
It isn’t worth the gamble, it isn’t worth the strife.
Just do like that one driver and vow to God today,
“Lord, I’m not going to fail You, see how far I can stray.
I’ll do my best to serve You with every day I live;
I’ll stay close to You, Saviour, my all to You I’ll give.”
Form: Rhyme

The Attraction For Innocence

THERE IS THIS MAN

THE MAN THAT CLAIMED TO BE A FRIEND

THE SAME MAN WHO STOLE MY INNOCENCE

HE TOOK MY CHILDHOOD FROM ME

AND NOW THE ONLY WAY I FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN IS TO CRY AND ROCK, CRY AND 
ROCK, CRY AND ROCK MYSELF TO SLEEP

THE WAY HE LOOKED AT ME WAS LIKE A “MAN” IS SUPPOSE TO BE IN A “WOMAN”

 BUT I WAS ONLY A GIRL

A GIRL TRAPPED BETWEEN THIS MAN AND THAT BED

I STILL SLEEP IN THAT BED

AND EVERY NIGHT THINKING BACK ON WHAT SHOULDN’VE HAPPENED

TWO YEARS LATER STILL IN FEAR BECAUSE OF THAT MISHAP

THIS MAN HAD NO RESPECT FOR ME

LYING INTO THE FACES WHILE STARING INTO THE EYES OF THE FAMILY

THIS MAN STILL HAUNTS ME

NOW EVERY GROWN MAN THAT LOOKS AT ME I FEEL IS DIGUSTING

WHEN EVERY MAN WITH BIG THICK HANDS, LOW CUT HAIR, CHARMING PERSONALITY 
SMILES AT ME

I REMEMBER THIS MAN’S HANDS CARESSING AWAY MY INNOCENCE

THE MAKERS PROTECT THIS MAN

CHILD OR NOT, THE PROTECTION SHOULD BE FOR THE INNOCENT

FOR SPEAKING UP THE LADY MAKER TOLD ME I LOOKED STUPID

BUT IN MY HEART I FELT BRAVE

FOR TRYING TO PROTECT GIRLS WHO WERE UNDERAGE

SEE THIS MAN, (AND I USE THAT WORD LOOSELY)

IS NOT A FRIEND, NOT A GOOD KID, NOT INTELLIGENT, NOT HEAVEN SENT

BUT THIS MAN MURDERED MY SELF-ESTEEM

A THEIF!

AND HIS MAKERS…ACCESSORIES

CONDONING THINGS THIS MAN DOES TO YOUNG GIRLS

AS IF HIS ACTIONS DIDN’T ALREADY HURT ENOUGH, THE MAKERS ADD ON PAINFUL 
WORDS

IM NOT SORRY THAT I TOLD THE TRUTH

IM SORRY THAT YOUR MAKINGS ARE DECIEVING YOU!

HOW DARE YOU TELL ME THAT WHAT HE DID DIDN’T MATTER?!

TWO YEARS AGO OR TEN, THIS MAN SHOULDN’VE NEVER DID WHAT HE DID

AND YOU ‘RE STILL IN DENIAL WHILE HE’S STILL DOING IT

THIS MAN KISSES HIS MOTHER WITH THOSE LYING LIPS

THE SAME LIPS HE USED TO KISS MY INNOCENCE AWAY WITH

THIS MAN CHANGED MY TRUSTING HEART

I CAN NOT TRUST ANY MAN

BECAUSE THIS MAN…

THE ONE WHO PORTRAYED A FRIEND

DECIDED TO STEAL MY INNOCENCE!

I DON’T WANT A MAN TO SMILE AT ME

BECAUSE I’LL THINK HE’S SMILING AT MY BODY

AND MY BODY STILL CARRIES THE SCARS FROM THIS MAN

FINGERPRINTS STILL VISIBLE FROM THE UNWANTED TOUCHES OF HIS HANDS

AS FOR THAT BED, EVEN WHEN I LOOK AT IT FOR A SECOND OR WHEN I LAY IN THAT 
BED

I LET THE TEARS FALL DOWN THE CORNERS OF MY EYES BECAUSE IM SCARED AGAIN

ALL BECAUSE OF THIS MAN’S ATTRACTION FOR MY INNOCENCE
Form:

Premium Member Silence of Suicide

Season of death plays her melancholic tune,
tragedy portrayed through a chorus of birds.
In regret, I ponder why you left so soon,
still mourning the impact of your last words.

Demons hid some pieces of your jigsaw brain,
lost in your black abyss, troubles began to form.
Alcohol, drugs and abuse turned your life insane,
but your tongue was silent, battling the storm.

Sometimes I read the note you left behind,
saying you were sorry, but life was not kind.
If only I knew a way for time to rewind,
maybe I could have eased that troubled mind.

Guess you felt death would bring an end to the pain,
hope you found peace from a life you left in vane.

Silent One
27 October 2020

I lost a very special friend to suicide, on new years eve 1996.
It was not my only experience with suicide, but it was one that had a big impact on my life, because, I was the last person she spoke to.
Sadly, I did not get to her in time and she had already departed the world that troubled her so much.  At the time, she was only 18.

For years, I struggled to come to terms with it, my coping mechanism was to blank it all out, suppress the emotions.  But every new years eve, I would not do anything, it was my way of rebelling against it, I guess.  I lived with regret.  Sad thing was I never spoke to anyone about it.

I learned to deal with it through writing.  My first poem about what happened was in 2015.

Some think suicide is selfish, but it is not.  It is difficult for those left behind to deal with it, but we need to understand, people who leave the world in such a way, do not want to die, they want to end the pain.
Sometimes, no matter what we do or say, it may not help.

Always keep an eye out for family and friends, who you may think are feeling low and at times worthless.  Many of us, at times, feel we do not belong.
Sometimes, the smallest act of reaching out could make a difference.

If you are feeling suicidal, there are helplines available in your country.  Please call someone to talk to them.  It could make a difference.

When we feel confused, oppressed, worthless, low, unloved, live a life without affection and understanding... Please remember there is always someone out there who loves and cares about you and will miss you so much if you are gone.

Sorry for the sad poem and thank you for reading.
© Silent One  Create an image from this poem.
Form: Sonnet


Premium Member It Started with a Blank Canvas

It all began as my wife and I were attending a
state fair. My wife had joined with a friend,
and the two of them sought their interest and
fantasies. I simply wandered about from one booth
to another until I came upon a gentleman painting
on a canvas. It caught my interest when he sighted
and made eye contact with me about 8 feet away.

Suddenly, I was taken aback as it would appear that
He began painting a picture of me. From a blank canvas,
he proceeded to paint at a pace I had never seen and began
with a FOREHEAD covered with aging lines and sweat.
The sheer sight of that forehead brought drops of 
sweat to my forehead.

There seems to have been a prophetic link between
the painter, the canvas, and myself, uniting us like
the confluence of rivers.

Little did I expect that he would be painting a picture
of me. As he proceeded with great brevity and skill,
every aspect of the painting created a like-effect
on myself. As he continued, with watery EYES, he said
such eyes portrayed my own, filled with cares and burdens
of hurting people.

The EARS he painted were larger than normal and embraced
with signs seen only by those needing to speak in confidence
to a trusted one. The tired, weary, and lonely souls knew
that the ears were special and designed to listen to their
cries of neglect and pain; to their disappointment, mistakes,
and misfortunes.

As the painter began with a normal-looking NOSE, he assured me
that the nose was lightyears from normality because it was equipped,
not to pass judgment on the sins of mankind, but to filter what came
through it.  And like a tree taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen, such was the nose of my own that he painted.

Lastly, the talented and prophetic painter paused and stared at me
just before starting on the MOUTH. There were no critical words of
caution from him or the mouth he painted. Notwithstanding, unspoken
words flowed into my heart and soul, igniting a change in the way and
tone of my speech.  I was therefore informed that my lips of dust must henceforth release more words of divine love.  

Not all of our lives are like a box of chocolate, never knowing what we
are going to get. Sometimes, God unveils the essence of our lives in mysterious ways. In my case, it is a 'never-ending story'. But it started
with a blank canvas.
art
Form: Narrative

Premium Member Irreconcilable Paradox

*Image of Paradox of a Mindfoolness.


Irreconcilable Paradox

The midnight sun casts about clear shadows amidst a
     twilight noon, 'tis yesterday.
The windy gale brews, astir none to wake the quietude,
     America's Guy Fawkes Day.
Watched I the beautiful orange sunset rise up above the
     rolling hills flat opened field.
Leaving my umbrella sorted at home, danced I out into
     the deluged rain spots yield. 


Ambling I briskly stood alone in a crowd, as a quandary
     cleared ere me from behind.
Menacing maintaining all matters determined found I at
     a total loss to ideas sublime. 
Brooding of the things I yet can do yesterday, I hurried 
     along to finalize nothing else.
In my rush to the airport, boards I, a train that went the
     other way past fields of elms.


My new schedule should get me to my appointment in
     the nick of time, one day late.
Know I will get that new job for 'tis the first time work I
     there as of prior' year to date.
Been unemployed for straight five years, works I out and
     in exclusively hands-on daily.
My legs are stronger as a direct cause of that makes me
     feel sick for I am e'er healthy.


Speaking on health, the car insurance is fully paid but
     wonders I, much is still owed.
On the subject of owing, our daughter's graduation day is
     today, four candles a-glowed.
The court speaking, arrangement rose criminal charges
     the prosecution, never violets.
Friends and I went to a drive-in, saw an old film just cast,
     our Model-T's all on autopilots.


In the end, we all walked out as unconditional strangers,
     familiarities sensed a oneness.
E.g.; If hail treasures of an emptied chest wouldst naught
     crusheth e'er emphatic dream.
Thence bandied wordings lay straightforwardly ere wee
     tilt scale rove archaic extreme.
The farcical tale wove abstractly, yet absolutes resolved
     parodies sage distinctiveness.


2022 February 15
*1st Place*
This or That, Vol 10
~~Edward Ibeh: Judged 2022 March 02


*NOTE: I've portrayed the extremities of paradoxes distinctive values as self-defining based on its own merits, my placement via its close proximity to its opposite, validifies that point, whereto, abstracts become absolutes distinguishing their individualism.
© Hilo Poet  Create an image from this poem.
Form: Rhyme

The Audience

When you speak to an audience, who are you talking to? The people in front of your screen or those trapped in your dreams? More than thirty thousand people are watching you simultaneously and the language that you portrayed is interpreted in many different ways. When you are on screen, you are not speaking to one person; your multitude of words can rest heavily on the soul for those who absorb them.  

I don’t know who you are talking to when you are on the screen unless you place me in a private chat room and direct the conversation to my dream; the universe is blending with you and they will tell you what to do; over a million voices have heard you and ten million ears understand you.

 When you leave this place, you will be a better man and a better woman, don’t ever take me for granted because I have ninety-nine lives and I have died and risen many times so get ready for the next journey because we are going to break the box office record and then we dance the shimmy. 

I saw you on the screen yesterday with a burden on your face; it is not the regular excitement that I used to see, it’s one mounted with fear and anxiety. It was as if you were speaking and thinking of the journey you have to go, but all the reporters on the scene add compliments to the show. 

You use a lot of energy to present the news, do the commentary and analyze the prosperity; the ship is waiting in the dock and the passengers and crew are watching the clock, the cameras are rolling, the makeup is on and you must be on the set before the break of Dawn. The story is just unfolding. 

When you speak to an audience let them know what you mean, your body language and tone reveal your countenance for the entire day and even a subtle eye movement will show you the way. 

When you are speaking to an audience, you must show variation in your tone. If the point is directed to me, let me know through the constant movement of your little finger because the audience is the art of the show. 

We are getting ready for the summer “shots” and we are going to give it all that we’ve got, the equipment is on board the crews are rolling in, location scene shots are identified, analyzed and scrutinized. Security arrangements are put in place for you to completed this final phase, the heat is on and the sacrifice has begun and the queen of the sea has landed.

Premium Member In The Shadow of Sunlight

In the pantomime of pretend prose,
the moon dances on lonely nights.
Before the lights go out at twilight,
unforgiven ice cold hearts,
remain abandoned, hoping this is the end.

Her eyes like Eve were deceived,
by manipulative sea green serpents.
Stranded on shores where time has no name,
the artistry of dread, breathed in poetic chills,
inhaling life, exhaling pain like dolent daisies.

Concealing metaphors of dying embers,
behind an avalanche of emotions,
she anticipated the rebirth of an artist,
by an art nearing the opposite side of yearnings,
because in the deepest chasm of poetic love,
an alliteration of antithesis attracts affection.

I was not as naive as Adam,
searching for heartbeats from heaven,
knowing that is how you ruin a poet.
An empathic spirit ignites pens full of fire,
burning the strings of poetic puppets -
the greatest gift of entrancement.

Rumi taught me the universe is infinite, 
and so am I, so I knew I would meet my muse, 
like stars greet the moon in a meadow of miracles.

As roaming romance conjured my dream's horizon.
Her name always echoed in the silence of quiet nights.
An empress without an emperor in a crumbling palace,
yearning to blossom in an epodic flower field.

Her seldom smile was as radiant as the golden orb.
Despite ghosts hiding in the shadow of sunlight,
mystical silver spirits were summoning me to her abode.
Her misspelt phrases accidentally fell on my page.
I found her burying her frozen quill under six feet of snow,
with a withered heart reliving a winter wonder nightmare,
constantly bleeding pearls in a silage of tears, 
cursing her tormented tongue.

Her winter kisses were as tender as butterfly snowflakes,
but at first, her rage slashed at my wrists,
drowning me in her obsidian grieving seas,
but my soul is like a seasoned samurai full of scars.
I always believed small steps lead to great places,
and I would kiss her sorrows goodbye.

Upon realisation there's no blood in my veins, only poetry,
together we portrayed pastel coloured sunsets,
illuminating a celestial canopy of light,
sowing trees of forgiveness, 
surrounded by colourful petals,
leaving behind the dark long road home.

In our internal garden of Eden,
there is no darkness,
there is no forbidden fruit nor sinning,
only an aura of love personified.
© Silent One  Create an image from this poem.

Representation Games

I keep hearing them say it
in the media these days,
we need representation,
it’s the only thing they say!
Now if they say it that much
they must be quite serious,
so I looked on into it,
and ended up quite non-plussed.
’Cause based on demographics
it seems to me rather plain
that if we’re to make progress
then we’ll have to make a change.

You see I’ve noticed on screen
a third of people look black,
and for the longest time I
thought nothing was wrong with that.
But then I say the census
and I was rather amazed
that blacks were thirteen percent
of this country’s modern day,
which means there are too many
getting jobs in Hollywood,
overrepresentation
I assume is not that good.
what people have lost their shot
of being portrayed in film
because of miscalculation,
how many folks never will?
So if we are to be fair,
represent folks properly,
start firing black actors,
or you hate diversity!

But even more worrisome,
and even more out of whack,
are the percentages of gay
characters that people act.
The way our TV shows it
one-fifth of the people are gay,
but according to surveys
only three percent feel that way!
Which means what’s on the TV
does not represent real life,
and if we cannot see ourselves
how can we develop right?
To balance out the numbers
means drastic measures, I fear,
to correct representation
means less stories about ‘*****.’

But that’s not the start of it,
look at the folks some call ‘trans,’
cause celebre in Hollywood,
are they woman, are they man?
See so many in movies,
but if we’re to represent
then I will have to point out
they’re.02 percent.
Once again they’re too many,
and something has to be done,
since being represented
is vital to everyone!
To cast so many trans folk
can really do lots of harm,
you’re underrepresenting
all of the people who aren’t!

Unless, of course, these crusades
are only a load of bull,
nothing more than a charade,
a chance to virtue signal,
so shallow people feel special
without having to do work,
a chance to puff themselves up,
look down on others as jerks.
There’s nothing people like more
then feeling they’re somehow great,
and if the truth impedes that
then reality becomes ‘hate.’
I suppose we could go back
to hiring on merit,
but they’re not gonna do that…
someone might call them ’bigot.’
Form: Rhyme

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