Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Harpy

Vain Harpy by Sandara

Wrapped in bows of false sincerity
Wearing a cloak of silky deceit
Feigning helplessness and gentle ways
She lured him with her guile
Spinning a web of artifice
Dark eyes beckoned and flickered
Ensnared in her clutches
She held him to her bosom
And lavished him with kisses

His sworn oath already given
The deception was revealed
Yet he believed his love would heal
The self-hatred of his beloved tormentor
Displeased with her skin, her color, her girth
Unsure of her beauty and her self-worth
Delusions clouded her thinking as well

Overly suspicious the malicious shrew
Unleashed her claws and animosity grew
Distortions and fabrications pushed and pulled
Contradictions and false affection confused him
He yearned and loathed conflicted
Alienated and devastated he goes on
Resigned to his cruel companion
Underhandedness and duplicity the only exchange
Vindictive and evil her skin shines clear
The harpy thrives and he lives in fear

21 comments:

  1. There is something despicable and terrifying about evil that dresses in pretty colors.

    This is wonderfully powerful.

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    1. Thanks! The emotions driving this poem have been brewing in the cauldron for a while.

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  2. You told a whole story in one short poem. I'm really impressed.

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    1. Thanks! I tend to ramble on, so I am glad I was able to capture what I wanted to say in three verses.

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  3. Came via Magaly... woo... totally awesomely toxic relationship... yep awesome...

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  4. Thanks! It is absolutely toxic indeed!

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  5. Very cool. I shivered while reading it!

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    1. Thanks, I’m glad. It gives me pleasure to know that my writing evoked shivers.

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  6. Thanks, Carmen, for joining my blog. Following your interest in Flash Fiction, you might want to check
    www.asiancha.blogspot.com
    read their blog entry from March 10 about their Flash Fiction Contest.
    I guess that you will enjoy viewing the "Hunger Games" movie. Both you and Katnis share the passion for archery.

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    1. Yes, I’m very curious about the movie. I never read the books and I wonder if I should hold off on watching the movie until I read them.

      Thanks for letting me know about the contest. I'm going to check it out now.

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  7. *shudders* Wow. That was so creepily sexy...love it!

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    1. Thanks! I’m glad you liked it. My dark side is gratified.

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  8. Such powerful imagery... loved this poem, and goes so well with the image.

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    1. Thank you! I was very lucky to find the artwork by Sandara. I've never before seen a harpy so beautiful.

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  9. Is this your take on marriage? No wonder you got divorced! Now we know all women are not evil or malicious and all men are not victims - he must be guilty of something! I am awed by your imagery but I hate that the woman is always the bad guy, but perhaps that is what makes this powerful. There are days when I wish this was me!

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    1. Hi Maria,

      No, this isn’t my take on marriage. This is the tale of a woman who presented a false image of herself to capture a man. And a man who chose the wrong woman for the wrong reasons. The sad part is that he truly loves her.

      Although you have claws of your own, you are much too loving and generous to ever be a harpy.

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  10. Wow, an intriguing piece and the artwork is fascinating. I like the imagery of the lady painting her toenails. Clever! Hope all is well, just wanted to dash by and say hello. Keep up the writing :)

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  11. Thank you. The artwork is fascinating! A harpy painting her nails, Sandara is very clever!

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