Paul J Penton – Songwriter

Camouflage- daily writing exercise- May 31

Zebra stipes at odd angles collide in black and green and brown, shards of colour, that cut into the surrounding background and merge. Military uniforms with muted buttons and high collars, face paint, in complimentary colours , going unnoticed , running on silent, riding with the lights off.

Camouflage, keeping secrets, holding aces to your chest, camouflage your intentions, don’t let the other players know what you’ve got. Not a flicker of an eye, camouflage your emotions, hold them in check. Battleships in the distance, angular shapes make them merge in with the salty sea. Clanging metal monsters that ride the waves to eternity, to kingdom come, fighting for the kingdom. Rumbling tanks on biting caterpillar tracks with netting and shrubbery merge into the scenery.

The young man out on a date- having dinner and drinks , cannot camouflage his intention as he touches her on the arm- is she so offended? Her skin is clammy, she’s nervous, he’s uncertain a great pair they are. Board rooms with secret deals going on in the background, camouflaged behind smoke screens and other diversions so the real deal is not seen until the big reveal; the stock market mouth gaping moment announcing the plunging profit, the abyss the profits have dived into. The salaries of the executives camouflaged in share options and buyback schemes, pure greed, camouflaged in clever accountants’ figures.

Camouflage puts its fingers to its lips and says nothing, says follow me but don’t see me. Camouflage tastes bland , bland as Zuccini or cauliflower, pasty and unnoticed, perhaps it needs garlic and salt to light it up, but then it would be noticed and would no longer be camouflage. The succulent meat and mashed potatoes camouflage the taste of these otherwise boring vegetables.