Image: A Simple Hierarchical Structure (here)
He came with a little smile, a toothy little smile
Broader it became as he got a little closer
Broke into small laughter and all the while
A quizzical stance hidden behind the laughter
Broader it became as he got a little closer
Seen this act a few times had seen it before
A quizzical stance hidden behind the laughter
Scheming intention, a suspicious one I gather
Seen this act a few times had seen it before
Upon reaching extended hand in friendly gesture
Scheming intention, a suspicious one I gather
Responded likewise not wanting to create a furor
A quizzical stance hidden behind the laughter
Began with a few good words without a falter
Scheming intention , a suspicious one I gather
The sling bag is opened its contents spilled over
Began with a few good words without a falter
All the charts, the legs, the returns, too familiar
The sling bag is opened its contents spilled over
I knew it, a ‘get-rich-quick’ a Ponzi as it were
All the charts, the legs, the returns, too familiar
Broke into a small laughter and all the while
I knew it, a ‘get-rich-quick’ a Ponzi as it were
I like how that toothy little smile begins and ends your pantoum. It makes me think how the pantoum form hangs on that one line.
ReplyDeleteInteresting collection of thoughts in every line. Nicely told.
ReplyDeleteSeen the act and yet fell for it again.
ReplyDeleteSure can weave a good tale, even when one knows that toothless smile sucks em in.
ReplyDeleteI like the way the repetitions build, as the narrator is reminding themselves of something. That toothy little smile seems quite innocuous in the first line, quite threatening by the end.
ReplyDeletethe toothy little smile had me beguiled! a lovely pantoum about how we can get easily charmed
ReplyDeleteI love the toothy little smile, at beginning and end. Nice one, Hank!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poem Hank, made me have a toothy smile.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Love that “toothy little smile”. Perfect that it ended with that phrase.
ReplyDeleteI love the smile, the toothy little smile. Scams always start with a suspicious, toothy little smile.
ReplyDeleteThe con man...we all know them. And the pantoum is very appropriate to them circling around with their nets of promises.
ReplyDeleteOh I love how you've used the form to tell this story. You paint a vivid picture of this man with his toothy little smile and scheming intention.
ReplyDeleteha - beware of his toothy smile...
ReplyDelete