Seek And You Will Find

Yes, even gasometers have their own brand of beauty.

There are flowers everywhere

the saying goes, for those who look.

And yet first glances may conceal

the gems that later are revealed

when patience lends a helping hand.

Beside the lakes, behind bare trees,

supplies of gas, container stored.

Alas, a blot that most would find,

a blemish on the landscape's view

and few would see disparately.

At twilight, I have seen flaked grey

of paintwork at the eve of day,

on three tall ladies standing there,

upright, ungraceful, rusted old,

a blend of dullness mixed with cold.

Though when the late day sun descends,

the rust becomes a burnished bronze.

Behold, as sunshine warms their skin,

the last of sunlight's golden glow

bestowed before the day caves in.

Reviews

[Perdition]

Only the various few stop to witness and hold the broken beauty that lives in everything...poetry is made of this..Petrol pumps, as the English I've heard say, become statues and from there we stage the rest that we must. This is wonderful Chris. Read the haiku as well and wanted to share the cherry trees and dogwoods that bloom over here...promising warmth and then cold comes crashing in...liars all of them!!..hahaha This was a wonderful read and I wonder what we'd truly call that moment when we see what we see and stop long enough to become forever changed; It is certainly another religion I would say without hesitation.

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely review and thank you for reading the haiku too. Your cherry trees and dogwood in bloom surely deserve a poem. As to that moment you talk about I would call that a revelation and that may have inspired a poem. Pleased you stopped by. Happy Wednesday.

[Pete]

a stark reminder that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and can be found anywhere. a deep, strong write. powerful ending really stayed with me. your strong, beautiful words breathe truth and life. nice work ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your generous review Pete. Greatly appreciated.

Chris

[Verse]

Hahaha! Gasometers as metaphor worthy of Neruda!! Well, a true writer can draw the blush out of a can of black paint. You are in that esteemed category with this elegant if metallic floral display. :):)

V

[Chris Shaw]

Now you are making me blush! Thank you Verse. Always good to see you visit.

Chris

[Verse]

Well, good! A blush is never a bad thing in this context. :):) Have a wonderful rest of the day!!!

V

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you.

[John the Baptist]

As the old saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the greater lesson in this one is that we should not make snap judgment upon a first brief glance. Gas tanks generally come in second to flowers in the looks department, but they can have their own attractions if viewed correctly. Very philosophical and nicely written.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. I appreciate your words of wisdom.

Chris

[john l smith]

I have read this a couple of times trying to figure out what these things are.
It reminds me a bit of the large water storage tank we had to recently install to deal with a water shortage aspect of climate change.
Function seems to eventually blend right in as you poetically imply
Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave, gasometers are huge storage containers for gas, that rise and fall depending on the time of year and use. Most people think they are a blot on the landscape, they are quite difficult to hide! But even they have their own brand of beauty when the sunlight blesses them.Not everyone would agree with me :)

Chris

[Papaya]

I really like this one.
Sometimes our moods cloud our vision and we just need to blow the fog away.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ana. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Lorry]

As you so eloquently said Chris, its all about perspective. Seeing the beauty of something instead of a blight on the landscape , is a vey good perspective to have. Reminds me of people who move house, to be nearer local amenities, only to complain of the traffic it brings. Hmm, that statement may be my own bias, of not having any conveniences around where I am now, but eternally grateful for the lack of traffic, noise and people :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. Your comments appreciated. My phone runs away with itself. It keeps wanting to call you Lotty :))

[Lorry]

Been called worse :)

[Jimmy Yetts]

Insightful perspective.
Poetry, lovely and pure.
A compelling read, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jimmy.

[emmajoy]

There's beauty in even the most ugly -. if one stops long enough to see the way a glance of light or a fall of rain adds an asterix that calls a 'come notice me.. don't walk away. Same applies to the old or unattractive hiding in shadows and crevices, not longer as confident or radiant or..

'Seek and you will find', indeed. A firm but gentle lure to what wouldn't be called majestic or marveous but - has amazing worth. Your words are laid so elegantly and respectfully..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em for appreciating this little poem. Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder.
read moreThank you Em for appreciating this little poem. Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

All things become part of the earth. Most things came from the earth. I enjoyed the honest thoughts and honest view of life dear Chris. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. Your visit appreciated. Have a good week-end.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome Chris.