Rudimentary Paragons

“There is still that singular perfection, and it's perfect in part because it seemed, at the time, so clearly to promise more.” ― Michael Cunningham (The Hours)

Rotate - just by a quarter of a half-circle,

Flatten the crises of the tapering corners,

Gently pressing precise forces

Of my sanitized fingers,

Subduing them in the Bristol paper ossification.

(Note to self:

Don’t let your mortal skin breach the neat, leaden margins)

“Now look!

Think!

Judge!”

Head cocked,

Lips pursed,

Inking of a rising disapproval

Swam in the sullen eyes.

“Rotate! Reverse!

Rotate!”

He dabbed the brush in the water-palate.

Sea-green meets Prussian blue.

“Paint her eyes once more!”

Humble, wordless submissions

A muse to his master:

Pardon me,

But I am no Aphrodite’s daughter.

Never mind if you can’t make out

The slender curves beneath the vintage drapes.

My eyes consummate

The smearing pigments, but not as you intended;

They don’t reincarnate the lost city of Memphis.

But justice is done.

Their unearthly gaze

Summarize, suffuse and protrude

 ~~Feminine Contemplation~~

Bold and unabashed,

The cursive letters tilted in accurate bents and angles,

Bid their time

For the gallery cruisers.

“Cut it out!

It’s Impatience’s call.

Sift through! Filter!

Let no rants be in these canvas curtains!

No tradeoffs!

Pride and perfection hand-in-hand,

Always.”

The colored water now dripping

Through disparaged paper molecules,

Wetting the carton cardboard.

Sounds of metal screeches

As the brush-strands siphon the remnants,

Off the circular glass floors of pastel jars.

Tired hands crumple

The skeletons of the drawing sheet,

(The fifty-third and the last one)

Scattering them

In the already littered floor.

Author's Note

Perfection -that one word that is devoured for like no other. Every day, every moment we are strive for it - in varying degrees. But what is perfection? Is it attainable in its wholeness? Or is it an illusion? A black hole that engulfs us in an inescapable self-destructive force?
The poem further explores the thought. It talks about a painter trying to perfect his creation - a painting of a woman caught in an contemplative mood. Does he manage to achieve what he strives for? Find out..

P.S. - I'm sure many of my fellow readers, like me, have a perfection syndrome. I would like your thoughts on this

Reviews

[frivolous treasures]

This was really amazing! I love your take on how each individual's perception of perfection is different. This was quite eloquent and marvelous. This really made me sit back a moment and think: What is pursued more? Perfection or happiness? Is happiness perfection or is perfection, happiness? Does art represent life, or does life represent art?

Marvelous.

[Pratik]

Thanks a million... :) I am so glad you liked it :)

[frivolous treasures]

Your very welcome ^^

[Tony]

Very interesting. Excellent use of the English, and yet carries an almost uncaring randomness in content.
It all blends very nice with the painting, which is particularly peculiar, non analogous colors blending into eyes.

[Pratik]

Thank you for the review.... But the painting isn't done by me :)

[silver threaded queen]

Fantastic job!!! I love, love, love the way you worded and set this up!

[Pratik]

Thank you so much :)

[Mark]

perfection obsession! :)

[Pratik]

yeah... thank you Mark :)

[Sakshi]

Hi Aaran,
First, accept my apologies for reviewing this piece so late!

And I think reading this made my day! such an EPIC piece!
You have expressed the thoughts so precisely, what's in the minds of the artist and the muse! I really wonder what inspired you to write this, Perfection - yes, but one needs so much more creativity to express it this way!

I am awed!

P.S : you should consider publishing a book of your compositions, if you still haven't!

[Tree]

Yes. A wonderfully detailed and rich poem that exposes the destructive nature Of perfection. It can be a crippling force indeed, especially for creative types. I wonder if maybe the answer doesn't lay somewhere in/between? knowing perfection yet understanding also the beauty, of imperfection. A thought provoking piece.

[Pratik]

Thanks Diego.. You always find the best to say about me... I am elated.. thanks a million for the wonderful review.. :)

[Emerald Seas]

Nice writing. I wonder... are artists (of any fashion) ever completely content with their work?

[Pratik]

Thank you :)

[Michael of Gilead]

is it futile to try to capture life itself, as the mind sees it?

[Pratik]

Who knows, Michael? After all what is life but a set of inspired follies :)

[Leslie Philibert]

I like poets who make me think and work. I`ll check the quote and look at Bristol paper - so I`m involved right away.The poem is great, situative and well observed, never obscure but packed with loads of poetic interpretation. Aaran is a fine poet.

[Pratik]

Thank you Leslie :) Your appreciation means a lot :)