Quest For Perfection

(make your mind up)

not content with the quickest of fixes
an application of pretty pink lipstick
or a coat or two of slick nail polish

some dames invest far further
maxing out their shocked credit cards
to purchase a full kissable pout

or heavily defined threaded eyebrows
permanent dark tinted long eye lashes
a tattoo or two inked on body parts

not to mention bleaching of teeth
gleaming brighter than virgin snow
to flash winter white at all and sundry

a botox shot can hide laughter lines
can fill in the odd imperfections
or braver still consult a plastic surgeon

who will enhance those curvaceous parts
add emphasis and a few cup sizes to
those twin peaks filled with silicon gel

as derrieres are currently in fashion
plump up those plummy cushions
of fleshy non dimpled soft seating

what happened to natural beauty
seems it's died a dreadful death
takes time and money to be fake

I haven't even mentioned tanning
or hair extensions yet and I bet
I've missed a few others

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and it cost not one red cent to be natural...and that is the best beauty of them all....
many hide behind a facade....a fake smile, a fake look because they don't trust that their real one will be good enough....
if only we could love ourselves enough to just present the truth.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I am having a bit of a dig here at young women who seem to be doing everything they can too obliterate every shred of their natural beauty. Either altering it or hiding it. Sad sign of the times Jacob. Many thanks.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

peacocks are the same kind of liars, those feathers are not functional at all... they just didn't have a doctor, evolution did the trick. We attract our prey by any means necessary... even plants take that approach. Modern humans are supposed to think on a level above houseplants and birds however, which, your poem here makes a fine point of. But never forget, the drive to "peacock" yourself may lead to unnatural decisions but the drive itself is extremely natural. We all have our own ways of doing it.

[Chris Shaw]

An interesting and thoughtful response. Many thanks for the read and for adding value to my poem about shallowness.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

It still makes me sad that human versions of houseplants and peacocks make more money than doctors and nurses. It breaks my heart to see a generation of children looking up to the appearance of substance instead of the real thing. I think even the birds and houseplants would be disappointed in the egregious waste of potential.

[Chris Shaw]

We live in weird times. I’m pleased I didn’t grow up surrounded by all that crap. I keep telling my grandchildren that.

[Davidgeo]

It's only weird to us because it's change. In reality, this is just life passing us by. It would be weird if things didn't change... that's really the only constant -- change. Rational or not, it's going to take place. I'm just glad we don't live in a "dark ages" kind of time period. This place isn't a pit of despair, it's actually quite beautiful and will be until long after we die. But, ugh... the ugliness is very loud sometimes. F***s up my parade.

[Chris Shaw]

Dark ages? I think I have seen a glimpse of that ugliness recently and probably there’s more on the horizon. And that’s from someone who appreciates the beauty in living. There are flowers for everyone who looks, but ugly, yes it!s there too.

[Davidgeo]

You haven't seen the dark ages. Travel to the third world not on vacation. You will feel pretty good about your situation.. right before the intense self loathing takes over after you realize... the third world IS the third world so we can keep the first world affordable. It's a lot darker than you think out there. More people than you think will never see a doctor in their lifetime. The world is not what we pretend it is for most people.

[Chris Shaw]

You are right. I said I have seen a glimpse. I know there is much, much more:(

[Davidgeo]

I'm sorry for getting dark myself there. No one wants to hear about that s**t. I must learn to filter myself better. You make good points that are relatable but I ruin the conversation bringing up unrelated things. Ugh. Sometimes I wonder why people talk to me at all,,, and then I realize, I'm an honest manipulative person, you normies love learning from recovering narcopaths.

[Chris Shaw]

Ha: …………..:)

[Mauricio Montoya]

Lol Chris,I love this, let me be a drama Queen and I shall be perfect too. Thank you for sharing. Lol

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for the smile Mauricio. Happy with my grey hair and fine lines. Growing old gracefully:))
read moreThanks for the smile Mauricio. Happy with my grey hair and fine lines. Growing old gracefully:))

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

Yeah Chris it is what it is

[Neville]

.. Some things neva change, do they .. still blue you see & I still stand by what I said three years ago ..

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. I went back to check:) Gave me a smile ya did:)

Chris

[Thomas W Case]

Wow. Great work. Very vulnerable. I relate all too well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Thomas. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[NormaZ]

Ha, ha, this poem made me laugh. I always tell my husband that I’m a cheap date because I don’t wear makeup, or wear jewelry, and I hate to shop for clothes. The place I get my haircut has a “menu” of services that you can subscribe to. It’s a monthly fee, and there is a bronze, silver and gold options on stuff you can have every week, the gold level is $250 a month!

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Norma, pleased this gave you a laugh. I might add, I haven’t gone down this path:) Well not yet. Happy with the grey and wrinkles. Wow, that gold subscription is heavy on the pocket:) Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

When they are older they will regret how they have mutilated their bodies.
I think we women grow into our bodies and looks as we age, becoming more attractive as we mature.
I often wonder if the fat injections and botox sink down producing clumps of goodness know what... it's still very much in its first generation so only time will tell.
Meanwhile, i don't mind my laughter lines and grey hair they are part of who i am ... naturally.

[Chris Shaw]

I think you are right Stella. The young ones are building up a whole lot of trouble for the future. Happy to grow old gracefully. Thanks for stopping by. Hope Monday has been a good one.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

I can't say that I feel qualified to speak to this poem subject wise. But suffice it say. I always feel natural is better. And I'm sorry but I never ever find artificial attractive. Beauty is always natural in my humble opinion. But that is indeed what you are trying to say isn't it? And so well I must also say.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken and I have to say I agree with you. Hope you have had a good Monday. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... a bit late for me to consider the above; however,
under cover were Charms begin I can slumber into Beauty sleep...
dreaming of Mountain Tops in Clouds where Cherubs smile and
we become Perfectly enhanced to be someones friend. Amen...
Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat for another poetic treat from you. Like you my friend I am aging with grace. Grey hair and fine lines. A bit more sleep
wouldn’t go amiss though. That would be helpful. Hope Monday is going well.

Chris

[Kay]

This poem really hits the nail on the head! I was honestly chuckling during the "shocked credit cards" line, as it gives such an accurate impression of the dilemma. I love that the poem offers attention to individual methods that women frequently turn to for their perceived increase of value, but it comes full circle at the end to natural beauty. You close the poem by emphasizing how natural beauty is a free and effortless state of being in comparison to the endlessness inconvenience of all these "improve your look" techniques. It's refreshing to have more women acknowledge the capitalistic gain of these cosmetic industries that intentionally breed our insecurities and feed off of our purchases.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for this great review. Whatever happened to natural beauty eh? My 19 year old granddaughter who lives with me is stunning. Then she goes and spoils it all by plastering her beautiful features with crap. Of course older women with a decent bank balance take it a whole new level. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Chris; this sounds like my daughter spot on!!! She told me last week that her false eyelashes (glued on ) we falling off!!! Yes, this is so true; no natural beauty or graceful aging without a care. There seems to be a specialist for enhancing all body parts, and costly too! doesn't cause anything to be natural!
Nice work Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. Smiling at your response. My granddaughter Beth was certainly one of many I had in mind when I wrote this. Yes she likes the fake eyelashes too. Take good care friend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, you too!