Why do trees conceal
the splendor of their roots?
Pablo Neruda, Book of questions.
In the gilded ballroom
debutants and Botox matrons
twerk and twirl to catch
the attention from the
white-masked dinner-jacket-men
“There are billionaires to catch tonight”
the MC howls, dressed to kill in tangerine tails
“but if you fail, only scraps will be left”
and dresses glitter on the silicone boobs
for pleasing of men,
but while attention is given to please
the crown of the rich
down below a maid finds
her pleasure,
not in the pleasing of lords in disguise
but in discussing
the purpose and finance in wasting
of bows up above.
She takes pride in the knowledge
that the ballroom is nothing without
the foundation below.
Today I host dVerse Open Link, and since there was a voluntary mini-prompt I decided to make use of it.
August 14, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
a most imaginative metaphor as answer to Neruda
Imagination is part of poetry
I enjoyed your response to Neruda’s question, Björn, the way you captured the atmosphere ‘in the gilded ballroom’ and the contrast between upstairs and downstairs.
Thank you… I wanted to move it more into a metaphor…
Stunning use of metaphor here, Bjorn! I especially love; “down below a maid finds her pleasure, not in the pleasing of lords in disguise but in discussing the purpose and finance in wasting of bows up above.” 💙💙
Thank you…
Nice satirical touch here, Bjorn. Love those “Botox matrons”.
JIM
Fitting for a gilded ballroom
A lovely poem with an interesting message, Bjorn.
Visually and metaphorically stunning and thought provoking poem. It also has a surrealism feel. The way you compose your words, love it. 🙂
Nothing lasts with an inadequate foundation, eh? Great stuff, Bjorn. Thanks
Love the scene telling, had to read it twice. I imagined she was self-pleasuring herself. Am I the only one?
And the meek shall eventually convene all the roots to eat the rich.
Your last stanza made me laugh! I’ve never understood why plastic is perfect.
ha – well said as it ponders who truly has the stronger roots.
Interesting spin on those lines. The fake above vs. served by the real below. Will the donkey one day sit down and say no more?
Sadly, many of us seem satisfied with the lie. An inspired write.
Wow, botox matrons, and ballrooms, a metaphor for the times that’s for sure.
An oblique tilt at the windmills of our crazy times – most enjoyable Björn…
Excellent
A great poem, Bjorn. The ballroom theme is very appropriate.
A great use of metaphor, and a very accurate description of current times.
Here in the US we have been fixated on a series called “the Gilded Age” ~ your poem is the perfect accompaniment to the glory that was that age. I loved reading it, Bjorn.e
Beauty is only skin deep after all. Beauty is only skin deep after all. I loved the reference to Botox matrons and silicone boobs!
I like to think of women with taproots so that they can’t be ripped up like weeds which seems to be they way they’ve been treated in the garden. Excellent prompt and poetry, thank you.
So true. The world runs because of the efforts of the invisible workers and thinkers.