The mask they wear
repeats the same cliches,
pretending to truth,
embellished with lies–
dismissing the facts
when inconvenient. The Devil watches,
laughs with them. He knows their true faces well.
The mask they wear
is glued to their ethos–
virtue corrupted
by perpetual
guile—whatever is
required to keep the reigns of power—a
prayer, a riot, a bargain made in Hell.
A duodora for Lisa’s prompt at dVerse, to discuss something that irritates us in the context of Halloween. I admit this goes well beyond simple irritation.
The paintings are from a series of eight I found when going through my files. They are a bit strange–I can’t remember what inspired me to do them. I was waiting for some poem that would go with them. This works.
K. 
Whatever inspired you, the paintings are amazing … as is your duodora.
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Thanks Helen.
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Kerfe, I love your art pieces, you’re right they fit your duodora perfectly. I’m struck by how the deals with the devil for politicians and their contortions to rule remind me of Kabuki Theater, where the actors have stepped down off of the stage and mingle with the audience. I can hear the Kabuki music in the background when they speak as I read your poem and see the images. Candy corn bonus achieved!
Thank you again for allowing me to include your duodora in the challenge as an example of the form.
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Thanks Jade and you’re welcome. I know kabuki masks, but I’ll have to investigate the theater itself more.
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You’re welcome. Here’s a neat video on it.
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Cool! Thanks. What artistry.
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Yes! I remember seeing it on tv as a kid and being mesmerized by it.
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Only the phony know well the evil ways of misdirection. It must be a strange kind of lonely to be phony — to be unreal, not truly exist? No thank you. Well written Kerfe! Enjoyed the mask art. 👍🏼✌🏼
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Thanks Rob. Well we know that Trump, for one, has no real friends. How could he?
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This is more frightening than irritation to me. Though I get so angry, too. Well done, and the art works perfectly. I thought what Lisa said about the Kabuki was interesting.
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Thanks Merril. There is a kabuki feel to rhe paintings. I don’t know much about how the actual theater works though.
I probably have every emotion from irritation to rage, depending on the situation. Not only at the perpetrators but those who believe them.
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Yes. . .sigh.
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I cannot believe the paintings were not achieved for this specific purpose, they fit so well. And huge pat on the back for the duodora. You managed to couch wisdom and truth in that difficult format. Bravo
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Thanks Beverly. Perhaps they were just waiting in the files for the right moment.
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well done – the poem speaks with force and compliments the art work perfectly — so a bonus for sure having found them in your files and waited for the right moment!
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Thanks!
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Your artwork complements your duodora beautifully. So much truth in your words.
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Thanks. I wish it were not so…
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I agree, your subject matter goes beyond the realm of irritation into the realm of the devil, especially when today’s politicians blithely line their pockets while the world burns. The paintings are stunning, and fitting for your subject. Randy Newman made me smile; I thought it was very magnanimous of him not to mention the British Empire of Evil.
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Thanks Ingrid. I’m sure Randy could have gone on and on, sadly…
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the colours are a mask unto themselves – and were waiting for the duodora to reveal itself. Wonderful!
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Thanks Laura. I think they were.
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nailed the format, art is delightfully fitting and your words resonate deeply, well done Kerfe!
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Thanks Kate.
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welcome Kerfe
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I love this Kerfe! The color of the paintings stood out for me as well as your words about lies and truth.
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Thanks Grace. I like those colors too. As to the lies…(sigh)
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‘virtue corrupted by perpetual guile’ – sums it up! The artwork is striking, the poses and colours. It would be lovely to see the other pieces … perhaps in some future work?
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Thanks. Yes, I’m sure the others will show up at some point. My art also tends to return at later dates.
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Kerfe,
Your duodora flows so smoothly, hard to do with this form, and assails masks of lies thoroughly. The art complements it beautifully. There are so many turns of phrase that are en pointe, skewering the mask-wearers and their motives deftly. Brilliant writing.
pax,
dora
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Thanks Dora. I’m glad Lisa reminded me of this form, as I like it a lot. Repetition, one of my favorite things, and not too much rhyming.
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This one deserves a standing ovation! 💝 I especially resonate with; “The mask they wear repeats the same cliches, pretending to truth, embellished with lies.” Yes!
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Thanks Sanaa. I wish it were not so.
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