Concealed behind that plain façade
silently observing yet unobserved
you creep along obscure corridors
listening at keyholes, capturing confidences
pocketing intrigues and salting them away.
Green mantle cloaked, you traverse the town
sniffing out secrets, ferreting for indiscretions
licking spoons that stir the pot
snatching skeletons from cupboards
to one day share and spill.
Nothing escapes your inimical attention
under your watch, people scarcely sleep
they mind their tongues, mind other people’s
but blank of countenance and with eyeless innocence
for now your secrets stay safe with me.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #81 photo prompt.
Image credit: Victoria Strukovskaya @ Unsplash
The image shows a closed wooden gate with the number 28.5 written on it with chalk. The gate is surrounded by thick green creepers.
luna's on line 
Great descriptions, Chris.
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Thank you, Aishwarya 🙂
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Vivid haunting descriptions here, Chris! Really captures that underlying dread and secrecy.
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It could (almost) be one of your historical characters, plotting away! Thanks for the compliment, Tom 🙂
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I really liked the sneakiness of it…
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So pleased you did! Thank you 🙂
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Aha! Love this intriguing piece of poetry. Thanks Chris for being the first again.
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Always such a pleasure, Sadje! I’m pleased you enjoyed it 🙂
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Thanks 🤩
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[…] Biding my time — luna’s on line […]
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Shared it on my blog. The reblogging option was not available.
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Thanks for sharing, Sadje! But it looks like you have… one of the mysteries of WP no doubt.
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I found the a way for next time.
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I’ll check it out my side too.
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Thanks
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I’m not sure what is going on. The reblog button only shows when I click on the title of my posts. If I’m reading from the ‘Home’ page it disappears, but this doesn’t seem to be the case with other people’s sites. I’ve checked my settings and the reblog button is definitely enabled. *shrugs shoulders* I’m not a ‘techie’.
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It wasn’t a problem with your site, it had something to do with the app which was taking me to the reader instead of the site. 💖
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wear the mask
dare to task
can you breathe?
seethe
oops my manic
panic ocd
behaviour pops out again
ass am i
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Brilliant! 😀
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race and shitty nasal passages. not like al stewart s time passages. that lisping john lennon like scotsman. oh and ty.
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Nice Poetry… ❤
Logi Bones
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Thank you.
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One particular critter comes to mind. Hmm…
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Just one? Schh… they’re everywhere 😉
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very intriguing sounds like a plot for a suspense story
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Maybe! 🙂
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As if the gates were talking about the secrets they hide within. Very clever, Chris!
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You got it, Mason! ;D
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Jolly good, I often wonder how many times I’m wrong about what I read lol
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Lots of things are open to interpretation. The reader’s interpretation is just as important and the writer’s intention, and if they coincide that’s a bonus!
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Yeah this true.
I had issue with my failed books in that people didn’t like what I created and tried to force me to change it instead of accpeting my intention.
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It happens, sadly. I say ‘write what make you happy’, but I’m not in it for the money (obviously).
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Me either now. I chucked the books in the drawer probably never to surface again. Writing should be fun and publishing kills that fun.
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Observing and keeping everything secret. Sometimes the best way to be… see all, say nowt! 😄
Good one, Chris.
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Fabulous expression, Tom! Of course we can still write it all down… 😉
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Oh yes, of course! 🙂
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Bravo, Chris, an excellent poem.
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Thanks, Robbie!
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Oh, what malevolent presense lurks behind yon plain facade? *shudder*
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Too scary to mention!!
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😀
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Wow. Awesomely descriptive and fun, Chris. Wonderful poem, my friend.
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Thanks so much, Jeff, I’m pleased you enjoyed it. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Chris. 😊
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What an unusual photo! It’s amazing how you can come up with a poem or story from just about anything!😀I know I would have had trouble with that one.
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My mind works mysteriously… 😉
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Absolutely loved this intriguing poetry of yours, Chris. Wonderfully written👍👍
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Thanks so much, Roshni 🙂
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“Licking the spoon that stirs the pot” – this was my favorite line! This troublemaker is well aware of their role…and maybe likes it too much! Great take on this prompt!
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Thanks, Irma 🙂 She definitely relishes the role!
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Excellent, Chris! I love the whole plain facade hiding a sinister core premise.
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So pleased you enjoyed it, Susan!
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nice poem. sounds a bit voyeuristic ;))
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It could be that our hooded protagonist has such tendencies. Thanks for stopping by!
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Wonderful take Chris.
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Thanks so much, Jude!
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Very much my pleasure 🍁
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Such a beautiful description!!!
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Thanks, Luisa!
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[…] Chris Hall; Biding my time […]
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‘pocketing intrigues and salting them away’. *sigh* wonderful.
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Thanks, Matthew! (‘pocketing’ = great word)
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Oooo, there is something so, so invasive about that licking of the spoons. People use those same spoons, and they’re tasting IT as they serve their food and eeeeeeeeeeeeeee that’s the heebie jeebies! Brilliant as always, Chris! xxxxxxxxx
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Hee hee, I had a bit of fun with this one! xx
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