Outer Beauty

               Outer Beauty

 

You are like an intricately carved door,

Outer beauty for all of, the eyes to see.

Lovingly polished, like a lustrous wood floor,

But as hard inside...as any wood can be.

 

You stay forever...locked in your shell;

So no one can see... what's inside.

Are you standing behind the doorway to hell;

Is that what you are trying to hide?

 

All of your beauty is on the surface;

For all of the world...to behold.

Your windows are trimmed in curtains of lace,

But...behind the door...you dwell in the cold...

 

Of an empty room...that still becons to me

With nothing of much value...lying within.

Beauty on the outside...behind lock and key;

Willing me...to step inside of that coldness again.

 

Still you stay closed...like a carefully carved door;

Forever locked...so no one can see...within.

Now I am on the outside and the world offers more;

Than that cold room, you locked yourself...away in.

 

Is it love that you fear...in that world where you are;

Locked away in the sad place, that you stay?

Do you know that happiness is really...not that far?

Behind that door do you know...what you threw away?

 

             {P&C}   Valentine

Author's Note

Very old write, idea came from a book I read at the time. Kathie

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

For some, the seclusion of the heart is necessary to stave off hurt, and some are just solitary people. Good one, Kathie

[Valentine]

Thoughts from an old novel but kind of reminded me of my dad. Really nice looking but it took a lot to get on the inner parts of him. His only soft side really was for my mom and us kids. Kathie

[Chris A Jones]

I can definitely relate. Very introverted individual.

[Valentine]

Or wrapped up in self too much to let others in. Valentine

[Chris A Jones]

I was referring to myself. I'm the very introverted individual. I think we are still talking about the same thing though. Hard for me to let others in.

[Terry O'Leary]

A penetrating depiction, Valentine/Kathie!
As usual, very well done!!!
Terry

[Valentine]

Terry, ideas for writes can come from many places. I haven't read or done much writing but I noticed today that some lines are coming into my head. Hope it means I am getting my muse back. Kathie

[mou]

sometime being disconnected, cold , silent do not mean that it's heart is not beating but may be some poisonous past experience lock the outer shell more firmly..it is truly a beautiful write and specially like the indirect use of metaphor

[Valentine]

Thank you. Kathie

[Giulia King]

This is something I really needed to read! I feel like this spoke to me on so many different levels. I'm always so locked away, inside myself. Never want to change, but I feel like I really have to step out of my comfort zone. Thank you Kathie

[Valentine]

Thank you for stopping by. Kathie

[Norman 223]

The are some people who have to hide their insecurity behind a mask of glitter and ostentation.
Beneath that cover may lie a history of repression and bullying , where they fear rejection by those who have good relationships.
Your poem, rich in understandable metaphors and controlled poetic style describes all these factors. Norman

[Valentine]

Thank you Norman, just words in a book that I elaborated on. Many things stimulate writes. Kathie

[FIN]

You love the "ABAB" structure, which your are fantastic at.

I have yet to dive into any preset standards of composing my poems, as of now—or that I was aware of (besides haikus) but as always, this came out nice.

I know you don't like editing after the fact of what has been published but I'd like to see ellipses between: "threw...away" at the ending line.

Seems to add more distance to strengthen the feel of loss.

Wondwrful write; great story-telling, nice structure, as well.

Much love,

LR

[Valentine]

I hope you are kidding. I never studied writing, I just inherited my mother's gift, she was the original Valentine, wrote for Detroit newspapers many years ago. She said I was rhyming at 2 or 3 years of age. She read to us a lot. Kathie

[FIN]

No, many are also written in "AABB" format, but there is nothing to be worried about, if that's your flavor follow it!

You are good at depicting imagery, progressing-stories, evoking emotions. And your syntax is flows great, within the end rhymes.

Maybe it's all I've come in contact with, but many poems of yours I've read follow either of those two, which I know you have more than I've read;

But once again! If that's your flavor in capturing the world around you; and your good at it, be proud!

Your work speaks volumes.

Much love,

LR

[Valentine]

Sorry, I do not even try to write in a certain form, if it turns out that way it is probably because I speak that way too. Kathie

[FIN]

Much love Kathie,

LR

[wordman]

reminds me of actresses,singers,business women
look but don`t touch

[Valentine]

Ron, right from a man's point of view, I was thinking more of a man like my dad on the surface, strong, handsome, hard to get to know, but inside, soft when he bothered to let it show. Kathie

[Einstein Noodle]

i like the door personalizations .. i worked as a carpenter for 15 yrs and can see it plainly .. solid, oak, mahogany stained .. big, thick, no window :( the theme was almost an anthem in the 60's .. i think some of the repetition is not necessary but you drive the point home well .. i think when it is fear of love and connection that locks us inside .. it is the most tragic of lost living ... you always include such sound wisdom in your work Ms. Valentine ..:)
E.

[Valentine]

Thank you for your kind review. Some things just need more emphasis. Kathie