Kintsugi

I once sat a piece of fine china

Lily-white, unblemished and handled with care

Displayed but never utilized 

 

I was plucked from my pageantry

Calloused hands wrapped around me

Passed around carelessly 

 

Porcelain chipping with every touch

I knew my end was drawing near

As I lay in the scattered pieces of me

Nimble hands intent to create

Scooped my jagged edges with ease

Laid gold and powder until I was whole

 

I am now more beautiful than before

Reviews

[emmajoy]

'Nimble hands intent to create - Scooped my jagged edges with ease - Laid gold and powder until I was whole.. ' Takes great care, patience and affection, love, sincerity to make a being feel alive and worthy.

Also, takes a life of blemishes to make conformity human. The most beautiful is so often the old and used, the face and body that shows a past.. without a past, we're little or nothing. Perhaps?

Your words juggle thought inside out and back.. and I truly appreciate that, just as I admire the way you alter your styles, one post to another. Thank you. Will read more, if I may. In the interim, keep safe and let smiles tickle you feet!

[poison&kerosene]

I believe that the art of kintsugi is the perfect representation of that very fact. The most beautiful parts of us are sometimes the rawest and most vulnerable parts! Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by my page :)

[emmajoy]

Perhaps without knowing it I knew that. Found your working very interesting.. will visit again. Keep safe.

[Ralph Proenza (Docralph..]

I totally agree with CLR9. Again, thank you for sharing your gifted words.

[poison&kerosene]

Thank you so much! You encourage me to produce more work. I appreciate you taking the time to leave me such wonderful reviews :)

[CLR9]

Beautiful and exquisite--the song of angels and birds in the mornings. You have a gift, or shall I say, a talent that rings will the bells of the angels. God bless you. Wonderful work. I would bask in the glory of such verbiage.

[poison&kerosene]

That is possibly one of the most amazing compliments I have ever received. It is hard not to feel undeserving of such kind words. Thank you!

[Chris]

So much of our lives is perception - both our own and others' about us. Who determines what is "broke" and "how are people broken?" Each has an opinion - arrived at by perceptions both fair and unfair. Perceptions are seldom chosen - just experienced.

What IS "good"? Bad? and to whom? Hope is where we try to recognize life-affirming and turn from actions that willfully injure others or even ourselves.

[poison&kerosene]

Absolutely. I would never believe to be broken based off of other's perception. You feel it in your chest. It is a very isolating feeling. What matters at the end is hope indeed.

[Chris]

We aren't alone and yet we ARE so alone... and KNOW it. Who do we really share the "bad" with when we can't evan share the "Good"?

[poison&kerosene]

Well I have been living with depression, anxiety and Body Dysmorphic Disorder since I was young. I have been with a man for 7 years who doesn't understand. He is the definition of neurotypical. He still stands by me and tries his best to patient and compassionate. Even though people will never be able to feel what you feel, just the company can be healing. You are right. We aren't alone yet so alone. There will always be people out there who probably won't fully understand but will stay by your side none the less.

[KurKota]

This is truly an inspired bit of writing. An amazing symbolism of ones fragile "self" and how it can be either treated or mistreated. Truly a gifted expression, in my opinion.

[poison&kerosene]

Thank you kindly!

[Yasmin_small]

Need to keep your name on mind... I might get a few points from your writings...

[poison&kerosene]

I still have a lot to learn myself. I will also look out for your writing so that I can improve! :)

[Eilis]

To be found and tended by one who wishes to repair and preserve is a lovely prospect. I enjoy your extended metaphor here. I have watched footage of Japanese tea ceremonies and also, seen this repair work you allude to being done. The care is evident and reminds me that there is very little that is too far gone if we have the will to tend it.

Extending the idea to the person--whether in a romantic relationship or even in an otherwise restorative way--is excellent. As humans we have great power to both build and destroy. Your poem reminds us of the goodness of building, and also that it's almost never too late to reach out and be the goodness.

[poison&kerosene]

The unfortunate reality is that we are the only ones truly capable of repairing ourselves. Compassionate, patient company does tend to help the process. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[I Shred This Cabbage]

This is beautiful. Reminds me of a poem I read that said children wear scars like medals. We are more interesting, better people for our experiences and we are at one with ourselves most once we have experienced loss and regret. Really well done!

[poison&kerosene]

I agree...Pain may not be what we want out of life but it is that pain that helps us to become more fascinating and (for the most part) better people. Thank you very much!

[R.E. Ray]

An extraordinary piece of writing! Even broken, if put back together with loving hands and heart, we’re better than before.

Hemingway once wrote, “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” This is a much more poetic expression of that image.

[poison&kerosene]

Thank you for your kind words! It was inspired by your poem "A Flicker in a Summer Storm". I believe to truly become who you were meant to be you have to break down who you were. It always helps to have compassionate people surrounding you to help pick up the pieces!

[R.E. Ray]

You’re welome.

Compassion is the essence of humanity (I think).
You’re an exceptional writer, and I don’t say that to many. I encourage you to reach out to others to request they read your work, especially this one. I believe you’d find benefit in exchanges with Eilis, Emmajoy, and a few other top writers on this site. I look forward to reading much more.

[poison&kerosene]

Compassion is one of the larger components missing from serial killers so I feel confident in saying you are correct.I never have tried to get my writing out there. This site was more of a journal for me. I want to become more engaged and learn from other writers. I will reach out and read from the writers you have suggested! Thank you for giving me the confidence to step out in this community!

[R.E. Ray]

I’m confident you’ll find the Cafe supportive and helpful as you write and share more. I’ve learned so much from my two years here.

[poison&kerosene]

I have been on here for about 9 years and never really took the chance of communicating with others. Now that I am older I feel I need to put myself out there more. You have helped me a lot with just a few comments on my writing. Thank you for that.