Mona Lisa Smile NEW
You don't know me.
Our paths collide in the July sizzle,
In complete silence.
The only thing of note
Is a smile,
My trademark Mona Lisa smile.
I've seen my name in print and lights,
Lost precious ones along the way,
Battled through childhood traumas
Of bullies and bad health,
To emerge eternally victorious,
With quiet grace and dignity.
Overcame addictions to alcohol and wild livin',
Not apparent in the way I amble by.
Met some real celebrities, not the ones in Heat,
Got up on stage regularly to state my case,
Fought for the vulnerable who struggle.
I'm not the man you think I am, but I'm definitely the man I think I am.
I've supported friends through their dying days,
So they could depart with satisfaction.
This near middle-aged creative activist's got a soul
That will remain long after you've disintegrated.
So keep telling yourself you're superior,
However, behind this Mona Lisa smile is a real star.
(c) NZ 2010.
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Comments
lots
lots to chew on - its certainly packs it all in in that 'slam poetry' way, I imagine it being delivered effectively at a frantic pace. I think there's about 11 potential poems in this one poem! -pete
Mona Lisa Smile
I wrote this just a few hours ago, in response to an absolutely awesome event I attended last night at the Contact Theatre, The Word Cup. It was such a positive and inspirational night that I already had the idea for this poem within minutes of it starting.
I hope you like it and I dedicate this to everyone who is determined to leave their mark on the world.
Nadeem
Mona Lisa Smile
Hi Nadeem,
I read your poem before in the email and I talked you about my love for imagery, and how it might be used here, a first draft, as it was, to lift the poem a little more. But now that I've read it again, I actually quite like the reserved nature of the descriptions which refer to events which I'm sure, were hardly subdued!
Best wishes,
Sabeen