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. ❤

[Michael Sun Bear]

I remember this; I am surprised I haven’t commented before. I suspect this was one of the earliest poems I read while getting acquainted with this site and this community. It’s a lovely poem. Classic Chris Shaw.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for remembering this poem Michael. An older poem out for a breath of fresh air. Pleased you enjoyed my efforts.

Chris

[RomaJ]

Chris, this poem quietly astonishes me. I love how you take something as ordinary as a shard of glass and make it a revelation..showing how beauty and significance can emerge in the most unexpected moments. It’s a reminder to notice the fleeting glories around us, and that even endings can shine.
..Roma

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Roma. Yes, a shard of glass certainly shone in its final moments. Turning a negative into a positive. Beauty can be unexpected and fleeting. I appreciate and value your thoughts.

Chris

[RomaJ]

I wrote plenty poems about shards of glass. So it a truly beautiful and relatable piece. I always enjoy reading your poetry

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for saying so Roma. I enjoy yours also, very much.

[D. Mansfield]

Chris you seemingly crank out these beautiful works and they always make me think loved this one.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jimmy for stopping by with such an encouraging review. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[D. Mansfield]

My pleasure

[Jansy]

Chris, this is brilliant. That shard could’ve just been another piece to sweep away, but you make it shine...literally and metaphorically. It reminds us to notice the small, broken things before they disappear, and that sometimes endings...tiny, messy ones- can be unexpectedly beautiful.
James

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you James. Turning a negative into a positive. That little shard of glass was memorable in its beauty. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[Buddhistboy73]

Revelation indeed..:)

It's funny how sometimes only when things break can we see their beauty....
you do a great job of elevating the everyday into something more....
I enjoyed sharing this story with you Chris...:)

BB73

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much BB73. Yep, just a shard of glass, but how magnificent that became on the demise of the whole. Pleased you enjoyed. All the best.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Chris...a perfect title for this lovely poem, especially the ending.....I've always said (as I give away "things" to charity...what's thrown away by someone is someone else's treasure)...and it applies here loosely...one little shard of glass mistakenly left on the floor was noticed by someone who thought it a treasure...a wonderful piece that shows us what happens in everyday life....we all sweep up broken glass, and leave a shard or two, but almost never does someone discover a keepsake... love you ideas!!!
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. An old poem out for an airing. That shard shone in its final moments. A reminder of how beautiful the whole vase had been. Pleased you enjoyed this poem and the metaphor I used. Have a happy Friday. 🌹

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Always a pleasure Chris
Happy Friday to you as well!
Warmly, B

[Martiya Daman]

I really liked this poem! The broken glass became super pretty when the sun shined on it. It was cool how something tiny and forgotten turned into something special. I think it shows how even small things can be important if you look close enough. Good job, Chris! :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Martiya. I think you are right. I appreciate you leaving your thoughts here. Have a great day.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

Another Wow, Chris!!! Sooo Imaginative! So well and joyfully written! And an intriguing Message! Definitely firing on all cylinders!!!🤩

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Dylan. An older write. I appreciate your review.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

So simple but wielded profoundly! Quite an OCD moment for me, sweeping up and mopping up after some shattered China… for sure a shard or two would escape later to make themselves known in a quiet but no less spectacular way. Such is life! Such wonderful metaphors to be had here, Chris.
Freds.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Freds. Pleased you found some value in my broken vase poem. Strange where inspiration comes from. Have a good day.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Not so strange the beauty that poets create Chris!
Freds.

[Stella Armour]

Not everything is beautiful but there is some beauty in everything in unexpected places.

The vase will long be remembered not for its life but it glory in death.

Some small things really do catch the attention of poets , who else could write a tribute like this ?

Stella

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Stella. Strange where we can get our inspiration from. Hope you are enjoying your afternoon chill:)

Chris

[Stella Armour]

yes thanks , snooker finished early so i dozed off lol.