#WDYS — Hollow Man

Fandango

Bit by bit, I sold myself to the lure of success.
I wanted to be king of the hill,
To reap the rewards of power and wealth.
So I sacrificed who I am to reach the pinnacle.
And when I got there,
Standing all alone
Looking back at the devastation I left in my wake,
I realized that there was little left of me.
Just the hull of a man,
Hollowed out by my pursuit of material things,
At the expense of my humanity.
Everyone can see right through me now
And recognize that there is nothing left inside
Worth saving.

Written for Sadje’s What Do You See prompt. Photo credit: Not All There – The Enigmatic Sculptures of Bruno Catalano.

24 thoughts on “#WDYS — Hollow Man”

    • Fandango January 31, 2023 / 8:00 pm

      As far as I’m concerned he already is a hollow man. He just hides it well.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 31, 2023 / 8:00 pm

      Thanks, Paula.

      Like

  3. iidorun January 31, 2023 / 6:01 pm

    A worthy warning – makes one reconsider if the price of wealth and power is worth it.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 31, 2023 / 8:01 pm

      It will always be worth it for some, unfortunately.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Ron. January 31, 2023 / 6:21 pm

    Wonderful Ekphrastics. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Sadje January 31, 2023 / 6:30 pm

    Very profound take Fandango. You’ve stated the truth of many! Thanks for joining in.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. jai January 31, 2023 / 7:55 pm

    Quite a thought-provoking poem, Fandango. 👏👏👏

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Nope, Not Pam February 1, 2023 / 2:06 am

    Very powerful, and absolutely wonderful

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Marleen February 1, 2023 / 11:37 am

    Bruno Catalano—I intend to remember his name. Your prompt response is well-done and certainly fitting.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango February 1, 2023 / 8:47 pm

      Thanks, Marlene.

      Like

  11. leigha66 February 2, 2023 / 12:04 am

    A powerful take on the prompt, well done!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Fandango February 5, 2023 / 9:52 pm

      Thanks, Greg.

      Like

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