Wednesday, March 30, 2011

What is Beauty More?






















 WHAT IS BEAUTY MORE?

What is beauty more
Than a reflection of desire,
A pool of light under the lamp
On a dark and lonely street?
What is a lovelier thing
Than that which completes --
The thought finished by a friend
Before your lips can form?
And what is truer joy
Than that which makes you cry,
A song torn from the throat
Of a bird who throws his heart to the sky?
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29 comments:

  1. Joseph HarkerMarch 30, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    I thought it was pretty straightforward and philosophical until the last two lines, which made me go "awww :(". Very nice!

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  2. EllaMarch 30, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Really lovely; the last line got me~

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  3. the walking manMarch 31, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Karen I honestly loved the rhythm of this piece. It just rolls of the tongue so well, so effortlessly. I only wish I could relate to it psychologically. That flaw though is mine, this is a wonderful piece of writing.

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  4. LouiseMarch 31, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    Karen, I thought this poem was amazing to be quite honest, with a superb intregity about it.

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  5. PearlMarch 31, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    This is beautiful. The ending is going to stay with me for a while...

    Over from the walking man,

    Pearl

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  6. MargaretMarch 31, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Gorgeous - every single line!

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  7. The UnknowngnomeMarch 31, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    There is no beauty more than the words you have here written. Lovely.

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  8. joaquin carvelMarch 31, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    truly beautiful - especially how it uses contrast - how it doesn't seem to be one thing over the other as much as how it all works together to form something breathtaking. which stikes me as powerfully profound.

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  9. The BugMarch 31, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    I'm in agreement with the others - beautiful poem with a killer last two lines.

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  10. KarenMarch 31, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Joseph - it was that last line that started it all, really.

    Ella - thanks! I saw a little bird do just this, and I could think of nothing more joyous.

    TWM - I hope you will find the joy within again, Mark.

    120 Socks - that is a wonderful compliment, and I thank you.

    Pearl - Welcome! Thanks for coming by and for commenting.

    Margaret. - Thank you, friend!

    Unknowngnome - Thank you! That is much too generous and kind.

    Joaquin - it's so good to have you back. Your comments always brighten my day.

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  11. KarenMarch 31, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Dana - we passed in Cyberspace! Thank you!

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  12. TitusApril 1, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    I love the containment of this, really tight writing and for me the big 'oh' is the last four lines. Beautiful.

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  13. TitusApril 1, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    If I could use this in the artist's book project I'd be really grateful. If it's a yes, e-mail me at TitusmckayATaolDOTcom with the name you'd like it to appear under.

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  14. JenniferApril 1, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Hi Karen. I just had to pop over after seeing you at Sarah's. How are you?? I've been awful about visiting; I'm sorry! I really retreated from blogging over the past six months (or longer??) to focus on finalizing the novel I've been working on. But I miss all of you guys! You were the first one to come over from Jason's blog and comment during that contest we all entered, and your comments always meant a lot to me.

    I really hope you're well. And that you've missed the snow we woke up to this morning out here!

    Aniket's back, too. It's so fun to see everyone!

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  15. JenniferApril 1, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    And this poem is lovely. I've always admired your way of seeing beauty in the world, in all its forms, and your keen ability to paint what you see, in words, for us. I especially like the title.

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  16. Enchanted OakApril 2, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    This is classy stuff, lassie.

    Someday, when you're done with your day job, I hope you turn into a poetry pusher. You'll win competitions with your work.

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  17. ArgentApril 2, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    For the first time EVER, a poem has actually brought a great big lump to my throat. Just beautiful. Such a light, delicate touch. Too many delicious lines to pick any one of them. This is poetry indeed!

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  18. izzyApril 2, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Keep singing ! good lines, Thanks.

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  19. Emerging WriterApril 3, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Lovely. Enjoyed the reflection of Ezra Pound.
    (But don't you find it annoying when someone finishes your sentences for you?)

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  20. JinksyApril 3, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I like the song...

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  21. Peter GouldingApril 3, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    A kind of Desiderata for birdsong. I can see this on a poster!

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  22. Tess KincaidApril 4, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    I love the kind of beauty that makes me cry.

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  23. NanUApril 4, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    That's lovely.
    Beautiful bird, too!

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  24. HelenApril 4, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Thoughts finished by friends ... if we have just one friend capable of that ... it's magic and we are blessed.

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  25. Aniket ThakkarApril 4, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    "What is a lovelier thing
    Than that which completes --
    The thought finished by a friend
    Before your lips can form?"

    This makes me smile every time I read it. Honest, heartfelt and true thought. The little pleasures in life. Reading Joaquin and yours posts made my day... um.. night. :)

    @Jen: Thanks for the shout out. :) I'm still trying to keep up. :P

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  26. Doctor FTSEApril 5, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    Very fine bird poem

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  27. Lucy WestenraApril 5, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Genuine poetic thought in this one. Thank you.

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  28. Kat MortensenApril 5, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Have you been reading Keats? Nice compact and tight little poem that, for me, overflows with joy. The last line is amazing, Karen.

    Kat

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  29. Sarah HinaApril 5, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    This is just quietly stunning. The questions and the answers, the tight rotations and neat completions of your lines, and that final pitch up to the great unknowingness of it all.

    I couldn't love this more.

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