January Vanity Poems

Idealism
versus
reality

In hope
that Quixote
prevails

Disappointed
again
reading the trends

Materiality
draining 
the grail

Peer pressure
determines
what happens

Not some
high minded
value or tome

Greediness trumps
what our virtue
holds dear

Self interest
hitting 
— closer to home

(Villanova University: January, 2024)
...

Read More

Emerald envy nestled on velvet 
several thousand away from paid
Puce tulip promise inducement
secluded juice, palliation delayed 

Ivory aspire ripped wide envelope
plump with numbered requirement
Absinthe ardent...

Read More

Who needs a heart
That’s buried 
Under layers of concrete

You rush
Through your days
As through a marathon
with blinders that keep you focused

Tossing all
Off to the sidelines
Anything standing...

Read More

decastitch

Mirror, mirror from the wall to online
vanity declares, pick a piece of mine.
Respond, rewrite, re-integrate the theme;
Prompt for contest is becoming a meme.

Culture shifts slowly;...

Read More

You’ve come this far.
It’s nothing, really.
Why not walk
one more 
line?
Baby steps.
Child’s play.
I should supply
a little
cave.
You’ll reach the end
and come again
for something short 
of vain.

January 30,...

Read More

I am in competition
with no one
with the exception of
myself.

Sometimes I think
life would be easier
if I were
dumb.

Maybe
if I were ugly
people would be
nice.

I
wish people
could see my
heart.

Perhaps
they might
actually...

Read More

Shopping is a sport for the young
All it means to me now
Is nonchalant window shopping 
But every once in a while
I am struck in breathless...

Read More

The House I Fear Most Lives Within My Shoe,
Contains recordings of my utmost gaffes,
The other, mocks!  (Thank God that there are Two!)

Within the front...

Read More

Foul
Spiteful
Pedestal
Monologuing
Stench



AP: Honorable Mention 2021

Submitted on January 31, 2018 for contest END JANUARY 2018 STANDARD sponsored by BRIAN STRAND...

Read More

She was still young, just a simple and irksome dilettante.
Her airs of arrogance and misplaced confidence were difficult to bear.

She played the piano but without...

Read More

You were just another player
On the merry go round of life
You thought you had it all
Never thought the ride would stop
You never saw it coming
The...

Read More

Fast as an atomic banshee, he roils sacred halls 
of White House clutches levers with brass balls
American powers remain unrestrained when he calls
Armada to exorcise...

Read More

A FAIRYTALE ENCHANTED

Many, many times ago, milady was born.
Beautiful child of nobility, gentle birth Englishwoman.
Graceful life she did live.
Shelter away in the castle along.
Her mother...

Read More

Pride seeks
Obsession with self
Hugging our mirrors
Telling tales of our success
To any who will take a knee before us
But failure still dawns for this vanity
For even...

Read More

To Be Seen of Others
Written: by Tom Wright
January 2015

If we’re only doing things
For a pat on the back,
Then likely, that becomes, 
Our earthly reward;

While being...

Read More