On Beauty Untamed

Discuss the poem On Beauty Untamed with the community...

https://www.poetry.com/poem/178207/on-beauty-untamed

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  adam.gutteridge

  I love the concise nature of this poem. No wasted words, like a single painted picture put into words. You are truly gifted John, and I learn more about writing every time I read your work. Congratulations on your win! more »

  LikeReply 13 months ago
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    Vixility

    Oh man, Adam, thanks! Quite an honor to hear words like that from a wordsmith like yourself.
    
    I often imagine poetry—especially short poems—to be similar to paintings in that they both attempt to ‘still frame’ a moment in order to convey a meaning.
    
    Strange thing to admit, but when I write I often find myself thinking about the way John Everett Millais captured Ophelia’s tragic story in a single painting. more »

    LikeReply 13 months ago
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  Jewoo525

  Great poem John, and congratulations on your win! Well deserved!
  
  I was initially, quite honestly, a bit thrown off by the quote in the beginning. Not my style, but the writing below was just so good I had to keep it on my list- and of course, it was written by a master! I loved the use of the metaphor "autumn limb," and your use of words like "mangled," "raptor," "razor," etc despite describing a rather sublime scene truly aided the piece's rhetoric.
  
  Describing nature as it is, is something I love writing about myself, this poem shows me I have much to learn. Love the simplicity, and the overall meaning- great work! Keep writing. more »

  LikeReply 13 months ago
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    Vixility

    Je, thank you for the kind words. The conversation we had over your poem “Crocodile Tears”, with its depiction of Nature’s beauty mingled with its brutality, partly inspired this poem.
    
    Shorter poems are always very tough for me (as there is shorter time to convey the idea sufficiently), but the challenge was fun to play with.
    
    Again, thanks for the kind words and stopping by. more »

    LikeReply 13 months ago
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  Symmetry60

  Sorry to carry on, but I wanted to inquire as to how you managed to italicize and embolden the quote and title respectively? I've tried in the past but was unable. Thank you.

  LikeReply 13 months ago
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    Vixility

    I like the use of italicizing and boldening: I feel like it helps make the poem look ‘cleaner’ and a little more orderly. It’s hard to explain how to do it here because the HTML examples will literally disappear. I’ll message you a link that might help. more »

    LikeReply3 months ago
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  npirandy

  I wish I had your knack for writing in poetic language. I am but a barroom bard relegated to plain and boring English, only to rely upon rhyme and a little rhythm for my success. You are a master at the "POETIC". You are to be admired, as well as our friends Steve and Robin who know how to make their words sing. more »

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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  JhainDoh

  Sending my congrats to all the winners runner ups and nominees. Great job great read

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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    Vixility

    That is too kind of you, and I agree: congratulations to everyone who participated in this month’s contest. So many excellent poems …

    LikeReply 13 months ago
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  Giselavigil

  As soon as I read this among the nominations, I pinned this as a favorite.
  Not many words are needed to capture readers’ imagination. Beautifully done. Congrats!

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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    Vixility

    So very much appreciate your kind comment and stopping by. The poem was a fun challenge to work with, and its brevity was absolutely key.

    LikeReply3 months ago
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  lovingempath

  Beautifully tragic. Congratulations John!!

  LikeReply 13 months ago
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    Vixility

    Thank you, Robin! This poem was actually partly inspired by Je’s poem, “Crocodile Tears”. I’ve always been baffled by the fact that Nature is both beautiful and ruthlessly and violently brutal. So strange that this combination has to be (or was made to be) a part of reality. more »

    LikeReply 13 months ago
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  npirandy

  Here you are again John. Short, sweet, and on target. Good job, Buddy!

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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    Vixility

    Thank you, Randy. Big fan of your work. I really appreciate your stopping by and commenting.

    LikeReply3 months ago
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  Symmetry60

  Hate to say I told ya so, but..... ;-)

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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  susan.brumel

  Congratulations! In just a couple of stanzas, you managed to paint a very beautiful and moving picture. I would frame it.

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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  susan.brumel

  In its simplicity, it contrasts nature’s comforting beauty with its darker underside- the reality of survival. I take solace in knowing that predators in the wild more often than not consume their prey to live, not merely to kill for sport or hostile takeover. Yet, I find it difficult to accept the pain and suffering the violent acts impart.
  ‘Still ruthless reign its laws’ is a perfectly crafted line- a stand out in this moving poem. more »

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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    Vixility

    Thank you, Sue! Definitely not intended to indulge a macabre subject, but definitely wanted to portray the rawness of reality through verse. I truly appreciate your comment and vote!!

    LikeReply3 months ago
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  Symmetry60

  There is a certain brilliance to brevity where there, too, is poignancy to its point. This is that. :-)

  LikeReply 23 months ago
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    Vixility

    Oh wow! Thank you for the vote Steve. Believe it or not, this poem required a lot of time and editing. But it was fun to work on.
    
    Haha … I openly giggled when I first read your comment above.

    LikeReply3 months ago
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    Symmetry60

    So as to establish a context, please know that I'll be hijacking your form and format, but not to plagiarize, rather due to how impressed I was by both. I was so impressed with this piece that I thought, it's gotta be the man. How right can one Frenchman be??? You've offered me another challenge. I hope you'll see my heist as a show of respect. LoL
    
    P.S. I clearly understand the difficulty in having to say so much in so few words. It can actually be much more daunting than lengthier poems. That's why I left the comment I did. So much with so few. Brilliant! more »

    LikeReply 13 months ago
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    Vixility

    Hahaha … I’m looking forward to seeing how you utilize them in your own works.

    LikeReply3 months ago