This week on dVerse Poetics, our bar-keep Anthony has asked us to respond poetically to the stunning photography of Phyllis Galembo. As Anthony tells us ‘she documents mythic figures of the spirit world within the culture of masquerade in Africa’. Out of the generous selection that she has allowed Anthony to share, I chose the image above. Since we have been given free reign to respond in any way we feel, my response should not be taken as any kind of comment on the religious beliefs of the people Phyllis has chosen to photograph – it’s just how my gut responded, mainly to the masks! I think I might have trust issues….
I hope you enjoy my offering, brief as it is, and do take the time to pop over to dVerse to see what other creative juices have created! No two will be alike, I can promise you!
Great title, Freya! The tone of your poem made me smile initially but sadly there are people like this and the gullible ones find out they have been had when it is too late.
ha. yes, there are plenty of people out there that will def take more than they will ever give….but they would sure like for you to look at their book (or their poetry) hahahaha
yes, i know a few. smiles…not you, of course freya…
and yeah i know some religeous ones as well…
nice write.
A perfect take/interpretation of the image,Freya; good solid poetic statements too. The con, the con, the cheating spouse, the media, the church, temple or synagogue, the insurance scams, the identity thieves; need I go on; nuff said & experienced.
Thank you! And yes, indeed we do. When we are being authentic and vulnerable, I think that’s when the reall gift of life comes to us. Unfortunately, I don’t think much of modern society is geared up for ‘reality’….
Thank you, Grace. It is sad, isn’t it. I think it’s part of the human condition to search for ‘the truth’, and that’s how we sometimes allow ourselves to be sucked into false promises and false hope.
The religious implications always get to me…how to resolve that gap..we are all human beings…respecting boundaries is one thing….overstepping them totally another.
Mmm, yes, I’ve met some people like that… not surprising we learn not to trust easily.
Interesting choice of picture, too, not many seem to have opted for this one.
Well, something in its quiet certainty (as I saw it), plucked at my creative strings – so I had to respond! I think the key is to not judge the next person we meet by the behaviour of the last – sometimes very, very difficult!
I rue the day they (the evangelists, the crazy devout, the slick grifters selling salvation at a high cost instilling fear, brimstone, and guilt. The hypocritical aspect of religion is well illustrated in your work here. Live your faith, I say; don’t preach it.
Oooh, very interesting take on this photo.
‘We have two faces, we promise you’ this line made me think of the contrast between the masks and the open books. Hidden faces and the book cover left unknown to judge (or not judge). I really liked your poem.
Thank you, Brian. Funnily, that line was partially inspired by seeing my reflection in the window of the tube train I was sitting on, barreling along under the bowels of London… strange and wonderful where our word patterns come from!
ah, I dig your take, most def.
“Weβll take far more than we give to you” that’s how I usually feel about those who carry that book… and the two faces.. mhm, all too true.
your poem would def be my personal caption for this picture. Well done
Thank you so much, Anthony. And thank you for arranging with Phyllis for us to use these images as inspiration. They are all stunning.
Whew….there are people (unfortunately) out there who do have a two-faced approach to their beliefs. I guess we need to be on guard against this type.
Not all the time, but unfortunately, in my experience, it’s the ones that are two-faced that seem to be the ones most easily heard…. Which is a shame!
Great title, Freya! The tone of your poem made me smile initially but sadly there are people like this and the gullible ones find out they have been had when it is too late.
Thank you! And yes, I agree with your sentiments.
ha. yes, there are plenty of people out there that will def take more than they will ever give….but they would sure like for you to look at their book (or their poetry) hahahaha
yes, i know a few. smiles…not you, of course freya…
and yeah i know some religeous ones as well…
nice write.
Thank you, Brian!
There are plenty of two faced people…..cool piece.
Indeed there are. But we will find them and we will expose them! Even if it is only through the medium of poetry π
A perfect take/interpretation of the image,Freya; good solid poetic statements too. The con, the con, the cheating spouse, the media, the church, temple or synagogue, the insurance scams, the identity thieves; need I go on; nuff said & experienced.
Thank you, Glenn. Yes, I think once we achieve a decent number of adult years under our belts, we get wise to the con-artists of all kind… π
Powerful write…don’t we all have trust issues (and masks) at times?!
Thank you! And yes, indeed we do. When we are being authentic and vulnerable, I think that’s when the reall gift of life comes to us. Unfortunately, I don’t think much of modern society is geared up for ‘reality’….
Pow. And, no thanks, I’m good.
Hehe! OK! π
Great little poem Freya, so well written. enjoyed it very much.
Thank you! π
This part is so true, sadly:
The truth lies within, we promise you –
I love your title and response ~
Thank you, Grace. It is sad, isn’t it. I think it’s part of the human condition to search for ‘the truth’, and that’s how we sometimes allow ourselves to be sucked into false promises and false hope.
The religious implications always get to me…how to resolve that gap..we are all human beings…respecting boundaries is one thing….overstepping them totally another.
I know – it’s a struggle to resolve such quandaries.
trust and mystery seem to go hand in hand…. if we knew, could we trust….
Indeed. Trust, aaah, trust…..
at least trust isn’t a four letter word π
oh yes… never trust someone with a mask… if they cannot talk to you about the contents of whatever book, better walk past..
Hehe, great rhyming response – thank you for reading!
Mmm, yes, I’ve met some people like that… not surprising we learn not to trust easily.
Interesting choice of picture, too, not many seem to have opted for this one.
Well, something in its quiet certainty (as I saw it), plucked at my creative strings – so I had to respond! I think the key is to not judge the next person we meet by the behaviour of the last – sometimes very, very difficult!
I rue the day they (the evangelists, the crazy devout, the slick grifters selling salvation at a high cost instilling fear, brimstone, and guilt. The hypocritical aspect of religion is well illustrated in your work here. Live your faith, I say; don’t preach it.
Absolutely – live it day by day, act it, treat others by it – preaching – no, no thank you.
Quite often the pic one sees of everyday occurrences! There are people out to pull a fast one on some others. Nicely Freya!
Hank
Thank you, Hank!
Oooh, very interesting take on this photo.
‘We have two faces, we promise you’ this line made me think of the contrast between the masks and the open books. Hidden faces and the book cover left unknown to judge (or not judge). I really liked your poem.
Oh yes, the masks versus the open books – indeed, a contrast! Thank you, Madhura.
we have two faces, we promise you – what a powerful line!
Thank you, Brian. Funnily, that line was partially inspired by seeing my reflection in the window of the tube train I was sitting on, barreling along under the bowels of London… strange and wonderful where our word patterns come from!
Very true Freya, absolutely agree with you there.
Thank you, Abhra.
This is so creative and thought provoking. My first thoughts were politicians and religious leaders that abuse children. Well written.
I think it boils down to people who obtain positions of power… and then abuse them, in whatever manner. Thank you!
Beware! Great analogy for power and often times fanatical dynamics.
Thank you, Lorri.