Cheap Smiles

This was an art assignment. We took a poem that Robert Fulghum wrote, and cut out his words to create our own pieces.

 

 

CHEAP SMILES

 

our next secret weapon

is a beauty bomb.

                a one in a million crisis

              of cheap smiles

 

                     covering the umber earth.

 

Author's Note

Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination. Robert Fulghum
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Honestly?

And what do you think it means?

Reviews

[Jason Henry]

succinct and excellent...that's a cool assignment you got! thanks for sharing!

[WordMaster]

It means the world needs to take itself a whole lot less seriously

The Crayola Bomb I believe is all we need to change the world around us

Honestly, who doesn't like to color?

[DarkAngelWriter]

That's really cool. I never thought of taking a poem and chopping it up... I wonder if that would work with songs too...

[Susan S.]

I nearly missed the first and last lines because of the color they were. Keep in mind that different monitors show different colors. If you need the colors to emphasize your poem (in this one I don't think you do) then keep it a high contrast color or people will miss it.

I'm quite enamored with this poem. First, I like poetry that is short. It's just a personal thing. Second, I am quite relieved that it's not a love poem. There are way too many of those done. One can get really tired of them. ...really, Really, REALLY!

I'm unsure of the significance of the skip before the last line. Does that have a meaning I'm not getting? And speaking of the last line, that's the one that gives me the chills. Something about covering the earth is depressing and the "umber earth" is heart warming. Putting them together really tears at my mind. Good Job!

[shadadakiya]

that's so cool,lol,

[James K. Blaylock]

Wow, what a cool idea. I really dug this one.

jkb

[Phil & Bren's Colla..]

It makes me think of plastic surgery. It seems everyone is doing it these days, it is not for the rich anymore. Very nicely done poem and I love the picture to go with it. Great job.

[Clarisse Nanoit]

P.S. I think it means that people may have forgotten how easily amused they are. A beauty bomb is, indeed, a one in a million crisis, and if it ever did happen, people may be happy forever. :) Kind of cheaply. lol.

[Clarisse Nanoit]

I, personally, like the second one better, and I ADORE that you included a picture. It adds another artsy touch to the whole thing. Just so you know, your notebook says "our next secret weapon..." and the poem says "our new secret weapon..." I don't know whether or not this was intentional. Either way, FANTASIC poem. Beauty bomb? What a concept, and I like your plan. Let's ask the leaders of your country if they can swing that, huh? lol.
KH