Vanity Fare

The ugly eye sees riches here

which escalate the cost

If it costs so much then who's to say

If it's beautiful or not?

 

Mirror, mirror, on the wall -

who is the fairest of them all?

 

Ugliness is cheap

but it can make a lot of money -

if you buy it up as dirt and filth

and sell it off as honey.

 

Mirror, say my eyes are blue -

Mirror: "What's it worth to you?"

 

Then beauty will be ugliness

and vice versa so

Who will be left to tell the difference?

Who will be left to know?

Reviews

[Augustus]

Boy do you write well or what! This is such a short verse and written in such simple language! Almost like a snatch from a fairy tale or a nursery rhyme in places....but behind that veil there is profound satire...

"if it costs so much then who's to say
if its beautiful or not?"
Very intelligently put...and this is seen so often in society... It is not the object itself but its worth that causes a stir...

"if you buy it up as dirt and filth
and sell it off as honey"
Again, concisely put, and the witty metaphor puts the icing on the cake...This also, is seen everywhere....its the marketing department after all, and not quality assurance that makes the profit fora company...I read a novel called "Hogfather" by Terry Pratchett recently, and he has a similar situation in which the restaurant's cooks feed their customers old boots masked with a lot of sugar and cream...again, deep satire if one sees past the humour...
The poem ends on a very thought provoking note too... if we are to accept such deception,how will we ever be able to tell the difference between what's good and what's not? And will only money talk or will the essence hold any importance?
A highly intelligent piece of satirical verse!
Just a minor point though...I am unsure whether the word "Fare" was used instead of "Fair" intentionally or unintentionally..."Vanity Fair" would be the conventional usage...but I suspect you might have used "Fare" in the sense of cost or price to pay for a ride through vain circles...In either case, it takes nothing away from a brilliantly rendered verse!

[Elizabeth]

wow. third stanza... right in the gut. I loved this. The brevity makes the impact unforgettable. It's commentary without being preachy... a hard line to walk. And you did it.

[J.Black]

Damn. This was striking! Really makes you think what society sees now a days.

[Ryan Falzon - Tymon]

I agree wholehearty with ross-wisehart. I think this is a representation, of today's society. VERY well written, an easy 100/100!!

[J.M. Barrett]

Wow.

I think my jaw literally dropped when I read this poem.
100/100

[Truly Ross-Wisehart]

An excellent reflection (no pun intended) of what is oh so prevalent in society today. What sells? What is beautiful? What is of value? These days, who knows, indeed.

~True

[MissWordSmith]

very nice and thought provoking. an idea without a conclusion. i like it.
these lines were great..
"Ugliness is cheap

but it can make a lot of money -

if you buy it up as dirt and filth

and sell it off as honey."

[A.Lee]

This is really good! Thought provoking. I love the lyrical sound of your words in this one and I especially liked the 3rd stanza. Well done, again.

[Annette Jay Sweeney]

The themes you are trying to convey are very well shown. I really like the Mirror parts. It feels very authentic. I think working more through metaphor may enhance your poem, but it's no necessary. Good job.