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observing

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he saw her picture there

glistening like a diamond

her beauty was undeniable

but words were unreliable

a counterfeit image

of synthetic dreams

and simulated promises

that pretended to be love

and he believed every word as truth

till the day he awoke to find her gone

the graying hairs on the pillow beside him

told a different story

and so he moved on

2012 bj smith

aka shallimarRose

Reviews

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I like this...the world is changing. People are having complete relationships in the infinite abyss of cyberspace, never really knowing the touch of skin or the reality behind the "mask", as it were. I had a friend who had a relationship like this, and much like your piece, one day, her love just up and vanished--profile deleted, all existence erased. It is a sad truth, and one that seems to be happening much more often. Still, some of these relationships actually do work...who am I to judge. Well done write, my friend.

[shallimarRose]

In my case most of the ones I know that were hurt and deceived were male but yes it works both ways.. I had a female friend who was with a guy in the USA (she was not) online for over a year then he just stopped calling her or coming to messenger.. She was told he died but all traces show him very much alive and moving on.. Wow for what purpose..? Thanks Sarah.. xo

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I think a lot of times, people get into these "relationships" to make their lives more interesting, then when things get too "deep", they don't know any other way to handle things except for to disappear...too bad they don't realize that they are hurting people in the process.

[shallimarRose]

I was on a site (and this is not an exaggeration) They caught a woman with seven different profiles all pretending to be younger and each profile had a different boyfriend... People do get develop real feelings for the person in the picture and the roll play persona.. its sad.. thanks again hun.. xo

[ba_mcfarlane]

It is the net, cruise at your own risk cause the crazies can be whoever whatever out here in the reefer ether

[shallimarRose]

So true Brian.. so true... But so many are blinded by loneliness. I think they want to believe..

[ba_mcfarlane]

And some are voyeurs, and worse. They want to get in and mosey around in your life without ever offering anything of substance

[quinfinn]

clever write, and resonant...this is a good representation of misrepresentation, with which i am all too familiar....lies and denial and ultimately betrayal ensue. well penned.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Quinn for reading.. Yes misrepresentation is very prevalent on the cyber pages... Buyer beware...

[shallimarRose]

Oh Shallimar, you wave words of elusiveness here... between these two lovers, I got visions, of a prison love, between those, very sad, but oh so beautiful... otherwise, it could be a couple, that have known eachother only on the internet... Interesting write dear friend... I enjoyed this one.

- Elisa

[shallimarRose]

Yes it is a true story I wrote for a friend of mine.. A couple that only knew each other in the cyber life.. He fell deeply in love with the beautiful photo on the avatar but in reality she was/is an old lady living out her fantasies at the expense of young men looking for love.. It happens far too often on both sides.. I am a firm believer of having real photos up.. at least a couple of family pics in the gallery. It is too easy to be swept away by a fake avatar.. I am glad you enjoyed this one Elisa.. Thank you for reading..

Oh yes, indeed I couldn't agree more with you, for I'm a firm believer of having real photos up too, I have had many stalkers, and old pervs, running wild behind me, I think it's so sick... People who don't have a "real" photo of themselves always have something to hide. And are not "real" in my opinion. I'm glad you pointed it out my friend... (I'm so tired of these pervs), and who stalk young women or men... they should really get alive, and enjoy the sun more. :) Hugs.

[ba_mcfarlane]

People can be anyone they please to be , out here. Except the poets. They write, so they can't lie. .. there is a trail left as by all talented scribes here....wonderful write Shallimar,and Elisa, your piece on the dance was exquisite.I guess that it is fair to say that neither true poets or dancers, can lie in their arts.

Thanks Canadian to the last part, and good friend, for your words, under Shallimar's poem. I've seen the real you fortunately, so you can never lie either. :) happy because of that my friend. And happy you are like a panther, who always is silent and reads all.

[Frieda P]

Very tricky falling in love online with someone who's a mere avatar, heard too many horror stories, you told it well, nice one shallimar!

[shallimarRose]

Yes I actually know three different men (not here on another site) That fell head over heels for women on line.. One of which was actually involved in an online affair until he found out that his 47 year old lover was a 77 year old in a wheelchair.. I dont get the point of hiding but to each his own I guess... xo

[Frieda P]

Oh my, that's some story! I guess she had a helluva thrill but the poor guy!

[shallimarRose]

yeah i know a lot of women on one site that have fake photos and lie about their age... Its sad really I guess.. I don't know what they are thinking.. lol
To me if there are no family pictures in the album and they claim they don't have cam they are most likely just role-playing and maybe that's ok if you're upfront about it.. lol ..... Everyone can have cam now days they are like $20.00 .... The cyber world is full of strange commings and goings I think.. xo

[Frieda P]

Well, I won't tell my age either, I've been 33 for over a decade now! lol....

[shallimarRose]

Well you should be proud of your age.. If I told you mine you would likely not believe me.. hehe.. by the way I have wanted to ask you if you are italian? from photos i saw on your pics..?

[Frieda P]

Yep 100% Italiano...my parents were both from a small town called Alberobello in Southern Italy, google it, it's exquisite.

[shallimarRose]

I thought so.. hello sister... My grandfather was from sicily grandma from Italy... mom is 100 percent Italian dad was Irish/indian/italian... I should have a horrible temper but i am actually quite calm though at times highly emotional... hehe

[shallimarRose]

moms maiden name Ingrassia :)

[Frieda P]

So you're a pisano, ciao. :-)

[Frieda P]

Have you ever been to Sicily, I hear it's breathtaking...my neighbor was born there and she visited not long ago, the pics were amazing.

[shallimarRose]

No I have never been to Italy.. my grandfather came to NY and met grandmother there.. We moved here to California when i was a child.. Good night Frieda..

[Frieda P]

Good nite, shallimar, let me know if you have a problem with that link...

[shallimarRose]

lol ill have to look tomorrow i didnt notice a link and im so exhausted... xo

[Dean Kuch®]

A complete circle, from life through the portals of the dead. Sad, he was left all alone with nothing more than her sweet memories to hang on to. Ah, but the scent always lingers where our dearly departed were, does it not?

Lovely, shallimar Rose...

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Dean... It is actually about a romance that began online and moved into real time... She was false and deceived him with her lies.... It of course is open to interpretation as all poetry..I like your take on it also.. thank you for reading.. shallimarRose

[Dean Kuch®]

I am horrible at interpretation, and I'll be the first one to admit it, lol! When I write poetry, I write what I mean and I mean what I write, so little is left to interpretation. However, while not a big fan of "free style" poetry, I do appreciate the talent it take to write it.

[shallimarRose]

do you like rhyme then? Much of my poetry is rhyme.. It takes a lot for me to write free verse because the rhyme is what comes natural.. shallimarRose

[Dean Kuch®]

Same here. In fact, I don't believe any of my poetry is free style, save for "Silence Speaks Volumes".

[Jack...]

This was very cool, I love how this worked its way to the end. Though I did have a different "picture" in my mind, I loved how this ended.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Jack...I am glad you liked it.. Some of my older stuff is a bit different .. xo

[Chris]

I agree with Laury... completeness...

Hi Shall, you doing ok?

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Chris... ill email you.. xo

[Larry Dyson]

TEMPTING AND ILLUSIVE..GOOD WORK..i LIKE THE COMPLETENESS OF IT.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Eclips... sR