The Wise and the Lovely

They say it's going to be alright

And hemlock looks like dasies, dearest.

It's all I'm going to say

 

But I have learned

That Achilles, in his war torn splendor

Knives hanging from his body like a Queen's jewels,

Was right.

 

We are envied our mortality.

We're simply beautiful,

Because we're expendable.

As easily killed as easily born.

 

Your flame red hair, it curls like that smirk,

Is bright against the backdrop

Of our burning world.

We're broken, not irrevocably ruined,

There's a difference, you see...

 

You're lovelier now,

Scraped knees and a bleeding heart,

Than you've ever been.

Simply because of the scarlet flush.

That flawed ability to bleed.

 

I can't whisper promises,

Cannot save you from ourselves,

But I can whisper

That sweat from fighting

Is a beautiful color on you.

 

You and your six billion neighbors

Have that capacity

The one that allows you to fall down

But also, to get back up.

 

So that smile.

The legendary one, it twists your cheeks...

It's that way simply because it's rare

Because it won't last.

 

But, ah my love, it is bright enough

To light the lanterns of stars

Pressed across our dying sky.

 

Reviews

This is perfect.
"I can't whisper promises,
Cannot save you from ourselves,
But I can whisper
That sweat from fighting
Is a beautiful color on you."
Perfect line

[V.B.]

Congratulations on winning the Beauty contest! Having said that, I realize you probably know what I am talking about, but out of context, I bet that looks pretty strange. Oh well.

At any rate, it is pretty damn apparent why your poem was chosen. It's sweet, and smooth, and genuinely gorgeous. This poem could have been a painting and illustrated less beauty, and in less vivid ways. Spectacular.

[Seshat Nidaba]

I adore this title and the various twists in this speaks of objectivity and surrealism straining to blend into each other, and I like it!

[BeatricePortinari.]

tell me what you think, please.