He was a real charmer as
well as a trickster,
Master of tittle-tattle
and bumptious blether.
His smile as wide as the river
Nile and the Liffey,
Birds in frocks were drawn
to him in their flocks.
Something alluring about
the mischief in his eyes,
An appealing welcome
always invited faux interest.
Performances were on cue
and polished as usual,
A sharp suited actor dressed
in roles of many facets.
He embraced his popularity
like a box of new candy,
Enough was never enough to
satisfy his old chicanery.
Character roles bathed in
the flashing glow of adulation,
Audiences were his
constant kingdom of firm believers.
Yet behind the scenes and
underneath face masques,
He held any loyalty
captive with a vicious temperament.
A rogue feasting off old
glories and spent days of stardom,
An actor immersed in the
profile of daring double deceit.
©Copyright Eileen T O’Neill 30/03/2015
Beautifully executed...full of charm and elegant verses..Bravo!
ReplyDeletexoxo
What a vivid portrait you have drawn with your words, Eileen. I really love the title "King Leer." Very appropriate. Smiles.
ReplyDeletelove the adjectives you've used to sketch the character...
ReplyDeletegreat and vivid portrait! wonderful.
ReplyDelete''An appealing welcome always invited faux interest.''
ReplyDeleteI believe this line really defines the actor's personality, as opposed to his many characters. What a shame that this thespian does not possess more worthy qualities; perhaps he should constantly portray the ones he does on stage, if they are more sincere, and kinder.
Intriguing, Eileen!
Poppy
a good-for-nothing we call such fellows here; but i guess his role is universal, the better to stay away from
ReplyDeletethanks for dropping in at my Sunday Lime ; if you write on Mondays remember to link up at my Monday wRites
http://myblog-verses.blogspot.com/
much love...
The very first line sets the tone thus I enjoyed the contrasts in his personality. Being an actor is a tough job, I guess we all have an actor side too
ReplyDeleteHe is quite a complex character, daring double deceit ~ Good one Eileen ~
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Well done!
ReplyDeleteZQ
Eileen, this is very intense, intriguing &, as well, very powerful all the way to the end. You had my mind stretched by the flow of thoughts I got while & after reading your poem. Church people, politicians, &/or even us could play the character you effectively expressed here. The exquisite quality of this poem could actually set an epic, hard-hitting performance piece. One of my favorite of yours to date, Eileen. I have seriously enjoyed it, thank you!
ReplyDelete- ksm
In a way, I see this as a metaphor for all of us. We all wear masks, though hopefully when we remove them, we are kind and just naturally nice. Good writing here Eileen.
ReplyDelete"A rogue feasting off old glories"...you describe him so well, I can see him. Wonderfully written, Eileen!
ReplyDeleteOh Eileen what a fine character sketch you have drawn with a mastery of words.
ReplyDeletegreat piece! This was my favourite image: "A rogue feasting off old glories". - oh Sherry picked that line too. Excellent writing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful writing Eileen! such a delight of words and imagery in this portrait. Some people so perfectly know how to pretend and to hide behind masks.
ReplyDelete