A Rancid Smile (poem) by Ruan Mills on AuthorsDen

A Rancid Smile
by Ruan Mills → (All Poetry by Ruan Mills)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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The two faces of friendship

Whenever lightning strikes it’s there The helping hand, extended oft Morale supported, not alone A Celtic voice that’s warm and soft A country lilt gives humorous lift To this, a new friend’s homely gift My worried soul is eased and breathes As, happily, the gift’s received And bracing crumbling walls of mine Thus, troubled mind, at last relieved A faith in human-kind supplied Without which, I’d be sorely tried Wearied by life cuts and throws Blind in gloom that failed to fade A jaded heart sought rectitude And so this gift seemed purpose-made But blind pride comes before a fall This gift was not a gift at all This helping hand, this underpin Whose strength did fortify my hope Had chosen me to line its purse Encroached on mine to interlope So sadly, watch from hidden croft As latest haul is borne aloft No trust can grow from unknown seed Nor faith be placed in saviour’s heart A soul can only tread with care Upon the grit of kind impart.

Reviewed by Laurie Ballard

Reviewed on March 2, 2014

Well written with good meter, rhyme and honesty.
Have we not all felt this at one time or another?

Reviewed by Patrick Granfors

Reviewed on February 28, 2014

Fool me once shame on you
Fool me twice shame on me
No one can tell you what to do
But with eyes now opened you can clearly see

Patrick

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on January 11, 2014

A poignant and meaningful offering, Ruan. Sadly, you express an all too common theme in this life/world. Love, peace, and best wishes to you,

Regis

Reviewed by Morgan Merriweather

Reviewed on January 5, 2014

this has been done very well. completely flows.

Reviewed by Diana Wiles

Reviewed on January 3, 2014

Very well written piece...it is a blow to our trusting natures when a so called 'friend' lets us down in this way...but as my Dad used to tell me often...'you live and learn, and it takes all sorts to make a world'.....
Here's hoping this experience doesn't lead to never trusting again....
Best wishes for 2014
Diana...

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

A sociopath is hard to spot and sometimes will win a heart and take the soul. Your form serves as a way of easing the pain and a warning to all of us that some people are not what they seem. Beautifully written and well understood.

Ron

Reviewed by pat medlin

Reviewed on January 2, 2014

nice, such a truthful write. i don't always assume a piece is about ones self...may be an astute observation. either way this carried deep emotion.

Reviewed by Budd Nelson

a very sad write, i truly hope a true friend is found
budd

Reviewed by Michael True

Reviewed on January 1, 2014

This cruelty so poetically penned. Trust such a precious and fleeting commodity. And yet one can never fully give up on hope without the risk of terminal isolation and the all-too-present possibility of self-destruction. Life is the experience. M.True

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

Okay, sounds to me that you have been pretty much bamboozled. It is very easy to pin your hopes and cry your tears to a person who emits all the right words, phrases, and lends a shoulder to help you deal with your problems. Too many times it is a falsified shoulder and words of sympathy. Sorry you had to have this happen to you, but the mere fact that you can write about it is proof that you are strong and will come out of it just fine, if disappointed in your fellowman.

Reviewed by E Phillips

It is so good to see a gifted poet return to what she does best--lift us up and give as a glimpse of so much more to come. May your weariness recede, and your talent flourish!

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Yes, duplicity of intent is not only cancerous, unfortunately, it is often misdiagnosed, giving the "role-player" the benefit of the doubt, the innocent unaware that the malady has chosen to slowly infect the host. Beautiful presentation in verse of a subject often relegated to prose only.