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. ❤

[Pete]

deep and telling. i could just picture it all, that bright light inhibiting my ability to see. perhaps sometimes parts can be more than the sum.

"The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star." - Thoreau

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Pete. Many thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. Hope all is good with you.
read moreHello Pete. Many thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[nj coleman]

Do you remember the first time you heard an album or a band or a song that simply blew you away? First time I heard The Beatles Revolver album ("For No One") or Led Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop" or Dire Straits "Money for Nothing"...I stood, jaw agape...almost frozen in awe. (As you can see. I'm much older than you.)
Honestly, that's how I feel after reading this incredible poem.
I was reminded of an unsung hero I once read about from the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941 (OK, I'm not that old!). His ship was sinking yet he stayed in his station so he could lead others to safety. He was killed. One of thousands of sailors on a ship in life. Glorious and heroic in death.
We need not die, however, to shine in our new existence. A new leaf, a new passion (you writing poetry at age 40), a new love.
Thank you for a wonderful "jaw agape, frozen in awe" feeling.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much nj. That’s some review you left me. Interesting what you had to say. As to the music and bands I remember them all. I am no spring chicken. More than pleased you liked my poem. All the very best.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris,,, The Book of Revelation is indeed the Prophecy
of the End. All the Beauty of our Earth was ignored for one brief moment. And now we know ... Creation was a Shakespearian performance. gently, Pat "Where have all the Flowers gone...

[Neville]

this whole beautiful page both illustrates in truest poetic form and otherwise also exemplifies the underlying principles and the validity and purpose of the perceived unity of opposites .. it is therefore, far more important, than many might first imagine .. at least in my own humble opinion ..
Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Your lovely review is very encouraging. As to the unity of opposites, I need to do some reading about that. Pleased you enjoyed the read Neville and I was delighted you stopped by.

Chris

[Scarlette Patricia Howa..]

I love reading your poem it reminded me of how glorious our Father is he is truly awesome you wrote this with care and love. Thank you for sharing

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Scarlette for your visit and for your thoughts. So pleased you enjoyed the poem. All the best.

Chris

[catwriter]

Only an artist or a poet sees things like this, glinting shards of glass become things of beauty. I like this poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you catwriter. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[duff]

A creation broken a creation born. Wonderfully creative and smart. Grinning.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duff for stopping by. Hope all is good with you. Have a great day.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I have often thought of the beauty of broken mirrors. While whole, it has one reflection. When broken, it can reflect the same thing a thousand times, which has the effect of magnification. I can see the same with the broken glass.

It also makes me think of the quote, "There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

Lastly, it makes me think of the Japanese art form of Kintsugi, whereby broken pottery is repaired with a glue-like tree sap and the cracks are adorned with gold. There are no attempts to hide the damage, instead, it is highlighted.

We have all been broken in one way or another. It's the mending that gives us strength. The ability to overcome is the most beautiful liberation. We are made wiser and better because of it.

Well penned.

[Chris Shaw]

Thrilled to receive this lovely review Linda. So interesting. Thank you so much and for the lesson too.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Oh dear Chris... Do I ever love
your poem.Interesting how our minds work....
Yours works very ceatively...thinking out of the box...
Love it!,
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lisa, thank you for stopping by today. So pleased you enjoyed the read. We are away from home in Brixham by the harbour. Lovely and sunny it is. Making the most of it before the rain returns:) Have a great day.

Chris

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome... We really need a vacation!!