In the mirror he can see his stories,
past and present sins as carved striations,
scars and flaky rot —
still he smiles, pretending
it’s right to take but never give.
Coerced consent is still a yes
(he thinks) and moist his lips.
What was her name again?
Can his spray tan
mask the voice that whispers and insists:
“memento mori” ?
Can he make it through another day pretending
that what’s fake is real?
Yes, he sighs and smiles
— if no-one else —
at least he has the sense to love himself.
He’s ready for the daylight,
confident and bold. It’s time
to conquer once again.
He build his battlegrounds on naked skin
on thighs and breasts,
adding notches to his mental gun.
Victorious he wades through misery of others
and climb on corpse cliffs for another conquest.
But as night comes crawling
a consciousness of conscience gnaws
on spleen and liver.
Unmasked, alone he’s sleepless once again.
The picture of Dorian Gray by Ivan Albright
Mish hosts poetics at dVerse on the subject of mental masks, the bar is open, join us. Also linking to the Tuesday Platform at toads.
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October 24, 2017
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I guess the mirror is the tool to use to get a mask on right. It is a kind of narcissism.
I thought a bit of Jekyll and Hyde or maybe the portrait of Dorian Gray
Yes, I also thought of Jekyll and Hyde…or maybe Mr. Trump…does he sleep at night when it is only he who loves himself?
Indeed.. you might wonder.
Two faces of the same coin. I can’t see the mirror for me. I’m thinking Trump, but I know several who could fill these shoes.
Narcissists don’t love themselves in reality but an image of themselves…a reflection…fits Trump.
This is so brilliantly portrayed.. reminds me of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.. unforgettable write, Bjorn 🙂
Can he make it through another day pretending
that what’s fake is real?
I think this is the real truth.
Ah, my old friend, Dorian Grey! I love:
‘past and present sins as carved striations,
scars and flaky rot’
and
‘Victorious he wades through misery of others
and climbs on corpse cliffs for another conquest’.
There’s a real feeling of distaste in this poem. Whoever he is, he’s unpleasant and should be put back in his box.
A perfect portrayal of a narcissist! (And yes, it reminded me of The Trumpet as well).
I thought Dorian Grey at first, then the typical sexual predator.
But this line —
Unmasked, alone he’s sleepless once again.
might explain the idiotic early morning tweets.
namaste
JzB
My thoughts, too, JzB
What an interesting concept introduced in the title — feigning narcissism.
This is my favorite part:
Can his spray tan
mask the voice that whispers and insists:
“memento mori” ?
This portrait of narcissism reminds me of the Squid and the Whale, a movie about a teen’s struggle with his narcissist father. Wonderful poem, Bjorn!
A similarity in our writes (maybe)…
How lonely we can be when our only pleasure is bought flesh…
Anna :o]
love the poem. I can see the beginning lines very vividly; wonderful and it sticks in your mind: “In the mirror he can see his stories,
past and present sins as carved striations,”
I feel like you built this evil beast before my eyes. So descriptive in character…and those “corpse cliffs”… such strong image.
Has this serial killer vibe… the “what was her name again” sent a chill !! Nicely done Bjorn!
Your poem does justice to the mask of narcissist but i wonder if they have conscience that keeps them awake at night…
We all have some dark secrets and they better stay away!
Victorious he wades through misery of others
and climb on corpse cliffs for another conquest.
Truly hustler-like in tendencies and idiosyncracies!.Many of such elements to be wary of!
Hank
Wow! Yes – very Dorian Gray! Very eery and dark…
In sleep (or while he tries to get there), he is alone with himself. I wonder about the sound a liver makes when is twisted by a rotten conscience, invaded by the maggots of deserved guilt…
This is so terrifyingly good.
That is quite the despicable character you painted in the poem. He’s vivid and repulsive. I liked the momentary glimpse into his thoughts that implied he can easily justify his actions. He’s a good villain, Björn.
Similar to the portrait of Dorian Gray! One of my favorite classics.
Your portrait is chilling–the perfect blending of thug bully narcissist Trump–and the rotting corpse in the perfect mask/husk–Dorian Gray. You certainly, as a poet, cam venture into the darkest places. I, too, like the sweet dark alliteration in /climb on corpse cliffs for another conquest/–course I endorse /the love you take must equal the love you make/.
It fits trump to a t. But I doubt he allows himself a true thought or reflection, it would be agonizing. I read he walks the halls of the white house at night in his bathrobe……….
An accurate and excellent depiction of a true narcissist. They live amongst us- Trump aside.
superb reflections on the narcissist “Can his spray tan
mask the voice that whispers and insists:
“memento mori” ?”
. !