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

[Paris Hlad]

I think there is an old Jewish saying that goes something like, Woman is the best of creations; thank you, God, for making me a man. Or, so my wife, Myrina, has taught me - Not just the saying, but its reality. Like you, in your poem, she is an expert in that way.

PS Grammarly wants me to use "as" instead of "like" in my last sentence

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit and sharing your thoughts. They were read with interest and appreciated. Pleased to meet you on my page.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

he he the content is always so much more important than the package... but in this age everyone gets mesmerized by the box and the contents become the afterthought:( It's funny I always notice that the prettier the box quite often the less the quality of its content not the rule mind you but it's a good bet... at least when we bought cracker jacks we always knew there was a prize inside and you always got too few peanuts but that made them all the more tasty:) by the way that threading thing is absolutely vile to me why would anyone do that to themselves Chris... Yuck!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Bunny. Always good to have your thoughts. Yes it's a great pity a bit more work isn't done on improving the inside rather than the exterior. Yes that threading malarkey isn't something I will be trying, nor any of the other so called improvements I have mentioned. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[emmajoy]

You always manage to use such fine language around topics such as the above, Chris.

Not long ago a darling elderly friend and I were chatting about tv personalities. She, dear lady said that she'd noticed how people - men as well as women, have been 'done up' - worked on via cosmetic surgeons and all the expensive lippie manufacturers that good manners and kindness seem to be less. Was/is as if too much focus on the outer Self had swept away thoughts of other people, kindness, good manners, etc.

Have truly thought about that. Can pay pounds to have a wall plastered wall for instance, but they won't last forever and it's purely cosmetic, still have to have other work done on it and most of that's temporary. Meantime, as with cosmetic surgery and all that, does it make a person gentle, kind, charming or - self -indulgent divas?

There could be truth there. My research is on .going! The original speaker, a true lady, is into her early eighties. Each and every one of her lines and fingers a'tremble are beautiful and precious.

[Chris Shaw]

Your elderly darling is full of wisdom as well as inner beauty. Kindness, manners and the like are the stuff we should be working on not the superficial. Thank you Em for sharing your thoughts here. Much appreciated.

Chris

[emmajoy]

I trust the elderly.. no nonsense battlers and survivors plus, and honest as the day born. May I tell Lady D., she'd feel so thrilled?!

[Chris Shaw]

You may Em :))

[emmajoy]

Thank you! She'll be so delighted. Have you seen/heard from Neville? I know he's not at all happy about the condition of his eye. Must be hel for someone who loves words so much.

Meeting going on downstairs, came up for a few minutes quiet! Tarrah for now.:)

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I think everyone deserves to feel beautiful. Sadly, rather than focusing on the beauty within so many chase after what's fashionably acceptable in the moment by society. These trends fade but the damage done to one's body can be irreversible. Some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood have ruined their natural beauty with cosmetic surgery (i.e., Meg Ryan and Jennifer Grey). The very things that made them uniquely beautiful was erased with plastic surgery. The real tragedy is when people go overboard and plastic surgeons are only too willing to give them what they want all for the sake of the mighty dollar. It's really hard to feel sorry for someone when he/she willingly does such harm to his/her physical well being. I think our moral compass as a society is severely lacking, and no amount of plastic surgery will ever repair that damage.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Linda Marie for your interesting and thoughtful response. You are appreciated.

read moreThank you Linda Marie for your interesting and thoughtful response. You are appreciated.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Very good Chris. You've painted a good picture ... of ladies painting their faces. Sometimes I wonder what's hidden underneath. In the words of Burns 'the rank is but the guineas stamp, the ladies the good for a' that.' Sadly I fear the men are catching up fast. Luckily for me it's all too late and I've smashed the mirror.
Cheers, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

So good to have your thoughts here Alan. I have to say I am quite happy to stand back and let them all get on with it. All the best.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... you cannot fake a tender Kiss
or dimples implanted on rosy cheeks...
at least not yet. Readjusting can only be
done with a natural smile. I wear flowers in my hair.
Love your humor and your smile. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pat. Flowers in the hair, are truly beautiful. So much nicer than hair extensions. Not only that the fragrance is far more pleasant. :) Your lovely review, so poetic in its outlook. Just lovely.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

And now Chris… three years later… your poem is a Tonic… February soon will be in bloom with 🍫 chocolate ❤️ Hearts and flowers from the Moon.., 🌖… a Poem for you… Pat

[Eilis]

Beauty is, indeed, a multi-billion dollar industry. A lot riding on women feeling poor enough about their natural state to go seek out ‘help’ or ‘improvement.’ It is a sad state of affairs, but seems like it’s part of human civilization.

I recently came across some ads from the 50’s that said awful, derogatory things about housewives in an effort to get them to buy beauty products that would ensure their husbands didn’t go find satisfaction elsewhere.

Today’s women have the pleasure of seeing so-called perfection everywhere and being sent mixed messages about natural beauty being desired, but needing myriad products to achieve it. A popular commercial in the states around the holidays was a makeup commercial that told women they were beautiful as they were, but nevertheless showcased a parade of heavily made up women.

It takes strength to avoid being pulled in by the messages that, as women, we can always improve on what nature provided. Your message is great because it highlights that battle.

I have heard of Botox parties. I don’t even know what to say about that. Great poem, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Eilis, botox parties. What next? Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here. I found them most interesting. Yes Eilis there is a battle going on. I am glad I haven't chosen to become part of it.

Chris

[Kent Rawski]

Women no matter are always wanting to improve their beauty no matter their age these things are imprinted ingrained from birth when was the last man in the beauty contest more interesting is what is the intent from their results

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Kent. Pleased to have your thoughts. Good to see you.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I am old school. I like the real woman. Some woman and men desire perfection and the sad part. We have enough and we can't stop aging. It is sad to see the actresses and actors who destroyed their faces. Hello dear Chris. I hope you you are doing well and thank you for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Coyote. I share your thoughts concerning the failed results of plastic surgery on those actors and actresses who have given us much joy. Such a pity they felt this was the only option.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Chris. It is okay to get old.

[gram linski]

Meow, haha, it's like these people are trying to eradicate their own existence, you can't buy beauty it's inherent in the heart, good wee rant, Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you gram for visiting this little rant on a pet topic :)

Chris