Betrayal Has Polluted My Soul

Beneath their silky, sultry smile, true intentions hide in shadow
Exciting words, enticing, elusive, carefully draped in silken deceit
Trusted friends, or so the thinking; a changeling now the perfect weapon
Roots torn away from sharpened blows of rotted loyalty and angry blows
Affection twisted from a close embrace to a hideous darkened hunger
Your secrets revealed, the damage dripping from their sharpened blade
Allies tainted as trickery turns them into predators, and you’re the prey
Lightning strikes, scorched earth and smoke paves the future way

Happenings all at once, and the damage of closeness divulges it’s plan
Allegiances once steadfast lead to paranoid eyes that never rest
Shattered trust pulls the curtain lower, closing this dark chapter

Promises made, but never kept, instead showing teeth and venom
Oh how the effect becomes a downhill growth of raw vulnerability
Lies about lies, as the poison speeches slowly fill the open wounds
Loyalty without value, easily traded for the deliciousness of whispers
Underhanded snakes, slithering, scheming to add rawness to the gashes
Trust tarnished, reputation in tatters, and you never once saw it coming
Each soldier falling, one by one corroded into betrayal and malice
Dreams that mattered, plans shattered, everything built abruptly scattered

Mistakes were made, charm seemed like truth, love but a feelingless word
Yesterday has come and gone, but the curse of betrayal painfully lingers

Soft words seduced me, sharpened edges drew blood, then finally pain
Opened my soul, laid it bare upon the harsh and barren terrain of existence
Underground, my only sanctuary; not running away, just seeking the comfort
Less becomes more, fewer becomes better, when your spirit is hollowed by betrayal

Additional Reading

R.J. (Ralph) Schwartz is an American poet, author, website owner, and online publisher. His writing spans several poetry collections—ranging from spiritual and romantic to fear-driven explorations—and even extends into science fiction. Notable works include:

• Hope – Inspirational and Spiritual Poetry

• Things That Go Bump in the Night – Poetry of Fear and Fright

• The Lover’s Thread – Poetry for Couples

• Poetry of the Human Condition – The Ups and Downs of Modern Living

• The Secrets of the Moon (a sci-fi novel co-authored with his son Sebastian J. Schwartz)

Schwartz’s work is described as purposefully wordy, richly descriptive, and thematically grounded in nature, romance, antiquity, and forgotten histories. He writes regularly on platforms he manages, including The Creative Exiles, a collaborative venue for writers, and The Gypsy Thread, which delves into offbeat histories, pagan lore, and poetry.

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R J Schwartz

I write about everything and sometimes nothing at all.I'm fascinated by old things, rusty things, abandoned places, or anywhere that a secret might be unearthed.I'm passionate about history and many of my pieces are anchored in one concept of time or another.I've always been a writer, dating back to my youth, but the last decade has been a time of growth for me.I'm continually pushing the limitations of vocabulary, syntax, and descriptive phrasing.

Latest posts by R J Schwartz (see all)

• Unhinged - September 28, 2026
• The Wind Carried Voices - September 16, 2026
• Commitment Understood - August 24, 2026