Revelation

(turning a negative into a positive)

in the rush to clear
all evidence of careless
a fragment of broken glass
from a shattered vase
escaped a dustpan
and bristle brush

no one noticed its fate
though seen by the keen eye
of the late day sun
a spotlight fell upon
damage done

it blinded a certain someone
with its dazzling display
of flash bulb bright
how well it shone

what’s this here he said
as he knelt down to retrieve
the forgotten shard
left on a varnished floor
glinting in its last chance glory
before it was laid to rest

plain it had been in its
everyday
insignificant in its own way
and yet now to be remembered
not for what it had once been
but how glorious it became
at its ending

Reviews

[DIVYA]

Dear Chris,

In breaking, there was liberation from structure and there was such glory! The shard broke free and how it dazzled. That was the zenith of it's unremarkable existence. It's moment in time. For a few moments it forgot what it was and rose above and beyond itself to blind someone absolutely with its brilliance.

Life is like that. It gives one unexpected moments to shine and in the most unlikely of ways. Perhaps, we are all stars in our own right. We all have that ability in us to dazzle the world with our brilliance but that moment of breaking, that moment of reckoning, becoming a shard did not happen. Yet. Again, anything is possible till there is life in us.

My friend, this is one of the most soul stirring metaphors I have read in years and your words have brought it to life by way of a myriad of thoughts and feelings. I'll keep this poem always close to me for the sheer beauty and hope it brought me. A true revelation it is!

[Chris Shaw]

I am thrilled by your review Divya and that you have saved this poem to your favorites. A huge thank you from me. Have a wonderful Tuesday 🌹

Chris

[DIVYA]

You're welcome, dear Chris. I loved this poem. ❤

[Tom]

To quote Aristotle, ' the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,' and in context of this fine poetic philosophy we can deduct that without that single little shard of glass, the ornate glass vase is but a jumbled mass bereft of shape, form nor purpose, you have penned a clever, creative metaphor here Chris, we all as individuals are unique and valued no matter what our station in life is or was!!

Inspiring! ✨✨✨✨✨

[Chris Shaw]

Tom, I thank you for your visit and your thoughtful review. Pleased you found the read inspiring. I am a happy bunny:)

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

Kind of like a take on Andy Warhol: everyone gets to glitter for 15 minutes right before we die.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Winston. Have s good Monday.

Chris

[Gee]

Brings to mind the leaves of autumnal trees as they die a beautifully colourful death after being just "green" through summer time:)
As always a pleasure to read words from one of the Cafe's shining lights:)
Hope you are well Christine

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Gee, thanks for your kind review. Yes, I had a lovely Mothering Sunday. Thoroughly spoiled by my brood:) Hope you enjoyed your recent holiday.

Chris

[emmajoy]

People.. objects.. memories - seems that certain moments holding certain valuables become more precious as they slowly spill into fade. Perhaps its loss, disappointment, horror.. to each his or her own as to how they perceive what has altered, lost and yet, has somehow gained more recognition. Whatever, your words nudge, make one think.. and have.. fine writing - as always, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Em on this piece. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

just like people we know. Seemingly plain until they break....and then somehow we
finally recognize their beauty, their worth.
why does it have to be at endings? we can't we embrace them before that?
haunting piece, Chris...and so good.
you truly are a word master.'
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you J for your encouraging review. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Lorry]

Even dying stars shine brighter near their end. It would be the way we should go too. Shining so bright in our last days, crystal clear instead of fading away.
And we could all go out so brightly, looking a bit like what those lying adverts told us we'd look like if we ate their ready brek muck. My parents were even in on the lie, when they said you can't see your own glow. I did see my brother eating it though and nothing! Not so much as a torch on its last legs.
Sorry, reviewing on here is way cheaper than therapy.. And I'm still waiting for my hover boots! Tomorrow's world, my arse! 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Lorry , thanks for the smikes you give:) Yep therapy is bloomin expensive if you need it. By the time you get it on the NHS you have healed yerself:)

[willweb]

Many things I believe are like that, just ordinary normal day objects that suddenly are a treasure once they are gone. I suppose some people are like that too. How many poets have we lost from here because people just got used to seeing them around and then they weren't and ended up being missed? Mice one my friend. You are never seen as ordinary to me, always a beautifully talented poet.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you will for such a supportive review. Yes, this poem could equally apply to people and not just possessions. I appreciate you.

Chris