I Wore My Feelings on My Sleeve – a Poem of Angst
I Wore My Feelings on My Sleeve
I wore my feelings on my sleeve
Displayed for all to see.
You ripped that sleeve from off my shirt
And delighted in cruel glee.
Now I keep my heart’s desires
Bottled up inside.
I’ll never more be made a fool,
Or feed your selfish pride.
I thought you were a trusted friend,
But how wrong I must have been.
Now I’ll keep you at arm’s length,
You’ll not hurt me again.
So, take you painted on false smile
And kiss your lying arse.
then vanish like the Cheshire Cat
In ‘Through the Looking Glass.”
Author’s Note
This poem wasn’t written as a response to any particular unpleasant situation or act of betrayal, or aimed at any one person. It is just a general response to anyone who has deceived or betrayed me in the past, or maybe even in the future. I am sure we have felt this way at some time in our lives when someone we considered close has let us down. Thank you for reading.
by John Hansen © 2019
~~~
For more works by this author visit John Hansen Author Page
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Longtime poet but not in the traditional technical sense. I enjoy rhyme but like to experiment and dabble in many different forms and maybe even make up some of my own. There is always a message or lesson I want to promote through my writing, for that reason, my poetry generally shies away from the abstract and obscure.
– John Hansen
Now I find myself branching out and experimenting with short fiction, and thoroughly enjoying this, especially flash fiction.
I have been fortunate to have two poems made into songs and recorded. The first "On the Road to Kingdom Come" by Al Wordlaw, and the second, "If I Could Write a Love Poem" by award-winning Israeli/British singer Tally Koren.
My services increasingly in demand as a freelance writer and I have ghost-written the text for a number of children's books and educational tutorials.
It has taken me many years of searching and restlessness to realise that my life's passion is to write. It saddens me that I wasted so many years not devoting to that, but thinking positively, the experiences gained over those years are now wonderful material for my stories and poems.
I want to try to bring a new focus on poetry and try to make it appealing to a new generation of young people and those who thought they never liked or understood it before.
- The First Word – A Flash Fiction Story - January 18, 2024
- Dawns Song ~ and Twilight Serenade - December 1, 2023
- Weave Me a Story - June 15, 2023
Very well-written and emotive poem, John. I so relate to your words, for I have been there. Some of those who betrayed and hurt me are gone from my life – yet there are a few rare ones whom I still love and peace has come between us. Take care. x
Thank you Phyllis. I won’t say I am glad you can relate to this from experience, but I am pleased you know where I was coming from in writing it. It is nice that you have made peace with some her hurt you and have moved on. Thank you for reading.
I have found that some of my trust in people has eroded with time and may never return. This is not necessarily bad. I have found great strength in solitude. Don’t get me wrong though I still enjoy social moments with friends and love ones. Thank you for your poetry John and I hope you are well. Jamie
Yes, the same here, Jamie. The rifts between some people can never be healed and with others you can forgive and forget. It depends on the situation and i guess most things happen for a reason. Thanks for reading. Take care.
I think everyone can relate to this piece John.. I know I can… wonderfully written
Yes, Kurt, I doubt there are too many people living who haven’t been hurt or betrayed by someone. I hope all is well with you. Thanks for reading.