Shining armor lying neglected in forgotten pile
swords left in sheaths and never brandished,
women skilled in art of dueling,
joust without a need of champion.
Wind howls through hollows in helmet's visors
discarded on battlefields turned into mini malls,
pennants of valor which once waved in heart with fire
tattered as draped over coffins of emasculated esteem.
Noble inclinations are a breath learned by being inhaled
after exhaled from the lungs of father having same oxygen,
but if the air is too rich in virtue's pollutants
it prevents the blood flowing with purest of honor's incense.
Where have all the good men gone?
Into closets of fancy with eyes closed,
wishful grasp at pedestal mirages turned vapors
wanting what is sleeping in vanquished hope's cocoon
to have a chance to become an iron butterfly
with an eagle's prowess and poet's plume.
White flag silently waved behind the back
crippled spine tremors in pain of lost hero marrow,
testosterone wounds leave spirit ashen in feelings,
mind anemic and in need of devotion's transfusion
becomes an addict to chasing mating prey,
lips serving as new weapon
victories measured in mattress medals
cell phone and internet new combat trenches,
consumed in the hunt,
amnesia over warrior ghosts
who haunt from ages
when pride came during struggles
for preserving honesty and freedom.
A contest entry
- "Where Have All The Good Men Gone?" by Ethereal One.
950 points, ended January 15, 2008, 11 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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Magnificent!!
Powerful piece You have penned Sweetness and love Your take on the prompt~
White flag silently waved behind the back
crippled spine tremors in pain of lost hero marrow,
testosterone wounds leave spirit ashen in feelings,
mind anemic and in need of devotion's transfusion
Love these lines~~
Congratulations on Your Trophy win!
-Throws confetti-
Woooooooooo Hoooooooooooo
Thank You for sharing Your Heart also Voice~
Many blessings to You in all You do William
Best wishes too
and my Love
~ Desire~*~
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Intriguing look at the consequences of women's bravado and trampling on gallantry (I have seen women incensed at the graciousness of courtesy!). The preferment of minimalls to valor, and "coffins of emasculated esteem" are vividly described. I do not understand what you were expressing with "virtue's pollutants".
How great the loss, and how painful if the noble feel compelled into hiding! How hopeful devotion's transfusion!
A pathetic and distressing devolution, to "mattress medals", for then who will inspire the rising generation? I enjoyed this outstanding and thoughtful write!
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Congratulations on winning the Silver. A well deserved trophy. Your poem was wonderful. Very nice imagery and and a pleasure to read this evening. Take care, Sandy
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this is quite a journey of where the good men have gone. i say they are lost in this world of greed, selfishness, and meism. enjoyed reading this. success in the contest.
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I love this - and I ask the same question. As a woman I see the world from a "feminine" slant, but you have pointed out some poignant traces of what a man is or strives to be.
"becomes an addict to chasing mating prey,
lips serving as new weapon
victories measured in mattress medals"
This is such honest and naked truth - the idea leaves
the reader breathless with admiration.
Best of luck in this contest.
Wolfie
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I think this is a great piece. Goodluck to you in this contest best wishes and much love always And if someone wants to see a good man all they have to do is go to your page.
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WOW.... What a packed piece of brilliance.
Excellent... great entry in the contest
Best of luck to you
Delila
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in a gadda da vidda baby ...you have penned in brilliance as your lines flow the imagery i see and the emotions both descriptive ... lurking in the life where they have always been ......very nicely crafted you held my attention from the beginning to the ending i am left with the lingering thought they are there when they are called upon.... good luck in the contest.
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The idea behind this reminds me of the song by Pam Tillis, All the Good Ones are Gone. I love that song. You went in another direction from what I initially expected and while I was surprised, I wasn't disappointed. Well done and good luck.
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