DEAN BOWMAN

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Pretense and Innocence

www.deanbowman.me
Reflections

Pretense and Innocence

Reflections on my past poems

Dean Bowman
Feb 9
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Pretense and Innocence

www.deanbowman.me

Pretense and Innocence


Lipstick, cherry blossoms, premium wine
Sweet smiles, crimson kisses, cruel to be kind
Heartbreak in high heels, posh, and refined
Perfume and cigarettes, clouding your mind

Black lace, pouting lips, too good to be true
Laughing eyes, trace her form, feel like a fool
Queen of hearts, teasing quips, toying with you
Passion games, cruel to win, but better to lose

Red lips and politics, wasting your life
Find yourself, turn around, madness is rife
Pretense, common sense, true bliss is blind
Heart and soul, conscience, make up your mind

Spin a compass, which way do you choose
Drive to Kiyomizu, late night for two
Short skirts and malcontents, what can you do
Buy a ring, make a wish, try to be true

Pining, crimson kisses, how can you lose
Queen of hearts, teasing quips, fooling with you
Innocence, any sense, true love is blind
Heart or soul, conscience, make up your mind

Pretense and innocence, nothing is new
Either way you turn, love'll cut you in two


Liner Notes

This poem was originally featured in Inclement Poetry Magazine, Autumn 2012. I wrote it in a style that was a complete departure from my typical poetry, which was a big challenge for me to write at the time. Its lyrical style also made it a fun word puzzle to piece together with a constant reworking of different variations. Sadly, none of my other published poems prior to 2010 have survived either digitally or in print. :(

Inclement cover.

© 2023 Dean Bowman. All Rights Reserved.

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Pretense and Innocence

www.deanbowman.me
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