Broken Beauty

when i looked at her closely

with each step, i feel breaking

and hear cracking underneath my feet

i look down and follow the broken pieces...

the trail is long

each piece flickers with it's own radiance,

but none appear to be whole

suddenly, a subtle warmth touches my face...

i must be near the source

the pieces now spread in all directions

though mere fragments of something

that was once complete,

they all glow brilliantly---

my eyes were dancing amidst

this shimmering sea, and then...

i saw her---

huddled in a corner

barely covered in a cloth that looked aged and soiled,

she seemed injured and yet...

still inviting

i noticed her straightening herself up

as my eyes examined her---

drawn in by her shine,

i quickly found myself sitting beside her---

what a perspective...

from this close

i could see all the pieces i came across before,

belong to her

i now was staring at the holes in her figure---

assuming i was readying a swift judgement,

she hastily began to gather

pieces of herself as an offering...

i softly placed my hands on hers

to cease this collection---

as i looked at her hands intertwined in my own

i noticed something under the shards

pierced with curiosity,

i swept them aside to reveal what was underneath---

footprints... i discovered footprints

i then looked harder, focusing my vision

i saw that the footprints also spread

in all directions from where she sat---

all were of various size,

crashing into or overlapping the next

the broken pieces of her

giftedly hid them---

my eyes made their way back to her,

then back to the footprints

once again back to her

and yet again...

back to the footprints---

confused and curious

i looked to her for answers,

her lips said nothing

but her eyes spoke all that needed to be said...

and like the sudden crack of thunder

it all came to me...

the broken pieces

the holes in her figure

the countless footprints

the look of tremendous suffering

that was held in her eyes---

i was baring witness

to the victim that beauty is

in the hands of man...

such foolish criminals we men are

thoughtlessly driven by lust,

we take from beauty only what we desire

so we fail to see

the magnificence of beauty's design---

instead we dissect and divide,

ripping beauty to shreads

each taking what his eyes found most entertaining

until we have had our fill

then we cast it aside and leave beauty...

to deal with the mess---

such foolish criminals we men are

now my heart aches for beauty

i crave to see her in true form,

like no man has yet to

and so, i will collect her up...

piece by piece

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading. I would like to thank the woman who taught me that, no matter how taken with someone we may be, looking beyond our own wants will reveal them in away we never dreamed. Your insights are welcomed.

Reviews

[s y e]

This was amazingly well written as always. The imagery and wording of this write was perfection. Amazing as ever, well done.

~ Noodle.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for a great review, Noodle. You've again humbled my pen hand.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

For em reading this I see Lady Justice hanging on to life support in the modern world. Well done.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Life support in the modern world indeed... Thank you for your visit and review.

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

My pleasure :)

[Holly Mason]

heart rendering write...open and blatant -like it
she is a lucky lady to have some one who does not view beauty as a gift to just have or worse yet to be jealous of tearing her soul apart...footprints a nice variation of what life has brought so many feet have trampled , so many have kicked, so many have harmed,,and she didn't know...
beauty can also be dangerous for men...not all beauty is beautiful have seen this scene many times...so some of the foot prints were more marks left he had to get away quickly
life is not at all about outside beauty...or is it? All gifts should be held in a loving light from writing to singing and yes there are many painting of beauty...unwrap it with love and it will give love...
thank you this is amazingly written with an insight that touches

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for such an indepth perspective of your thoughts. You were spot on and i thank you for a great review.

[icelandicblue]

This is one of the most beautiful poems I have read. Your imagery, story and word choices were perfection regarding the imperfection and shallowness of seeing and using only the skin deep parts of desire. What insight you give to not only the shards and pieces but the whole.

we take from beauty only what we desire
so we fail to see
the magnificence of beauty's design---

This is a magnificent poem.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for such a grand review... I'm humbled by your words greatly. Thank you.

[Stella Armour]

you have a very deep insight into the nature of some men who do not value or respect the beauty of a woman,very well penned and i loved the metaphors

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Stella... it's an unfortunate nature of men. I must admit, it was that very self-driven nature that drew to this woman. I was so taken by her that nothing else seem to exist when she was around. Then, i saw something i didn't expect and it changed my perspective completely.

[Maheep Singh Rathore]

it is such a wonderful piece of writing.
i could really feel it.
awesome job done

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you... I appreciate your reading/reviewing it.

[SyberRose]

this is a very unique piece like no other I have ever read...beautifully penned and I love your authors note also...a very wise woman taught you that looking beyond ourselves will reveal is right Travis if I may call you Travis as Rogue did...Such a sensitive piece from you...Enjoyed reading...Rose:)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Yes, Rose you may call me, Travis. Thank you for that inspiring review. Coming from such a talented writer I am beyond humbled.

[Rogue]

I think this is a wonderfully written piece, Travis. It touched me deeply and in ways I can't describe. It takes a special man to see and recognize the damage done... To painstakingly glue all the parts back together and to patiently stay beside one for the healing process. I myself was very lucky and found one in true friendship. He stands beside me still and I adore him for it.

This was something that reached deep inside of me and my thoughts. Thank you for sharing it.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Rogue. I'm very glad you could relate to this one as well. Your work refers me to my own often times, or settles in a personal space i try not to visit. I'm glad you've encountered someone who is wise enough to be more than a footprint left behind. To many of us don't encounter such people, making the world a very scary place. Thank you for leaving me with your thoughts on this piece, they were very much valued.

[Rogue]

You are very welcome. And now I give you one back to read. I am interested in your perspective on it. It is the piece I have featured. I originally wrote it over a year ago. The first piece of prose in a very long time from me. I think you'll understand.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

ok, I am heading over to read it now.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

beauty is broken by man..and after we do that to her...we the beasts need to put her back together the best we can...

we take and take..and have to learn to give.

jacob

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That is exactly what we must learn to do.

[quinfinn]

man! have you ever read the Clive Barker novel Imajica? because, this is what i thought of whilst reading this. you have a flair for expressing yourself through gorgeous prose. this is phenomenal! faves.....

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

No, i haven't had the pleasure of reading it, but i will certainly look into it. Thank you, my dear friend for such an uplifting review.