Loveliness in Imperfection

Loveliness in Imperfection

Beauty born of age and imperfection,
external reflection of the inner self.
Traces of regeneration,
new life formed from death.
A missing piece, a new perspective
of a prior perfect mold.
Cracked mirror, a new image behold.
Asymmetric, unbalanced
lines laid askew.
Tilt, consider the tangential view.
Find the loveliness in imperfection,
see the flaws as fragile etchings
of the artist's beloved, broken tool.

Review I want to continue to consider: OVERALL SENSE: There is a graceful curve of understanding in poetry like this, and I love analyzing it. Most of the time, I enjoy poetry for its use of the major conventions of rhythm and rhyme, with a creative and generous smattering of lesser ones; free verse is not a big favorite of mine because so few actually bolster the absence of rhythm and rhyme with other dominant and effective conventions. The expressions are simply
prose-in-poetry. This excellent cascade of word-images, however, is what happens when free verse is done right. The flickering of images that you paint with each line comes into focus as your theme echoes at the end. This is a brilliant expression with a worthy message. Philosophical yet decipherable, it presents high-minded esoteria with recognizable descriptions.
CONVENTIONS: As mentioned above, the conventions of rhythm and rhyme are absent. What we have, then, is a train of didactic statements, and it is done extremely well. The American Transcendentalists (Whitman, Emerson, Thoreau) believed that echoing their themes in different ways and in different formats would help more people reach understanding of their ideas. Some ideas were presented in allegorical essays ("The Oversoul"), some in self-help treatises (Walden) and some in poetry ("Song of Myself"). The reason I mention this philosophical movement is because I was put into the mind of this approach as I read each of your lines. Your present seven thoughts, all echoing each other, with the most convincing and overt saved for last. We begin obscure and end with pin-point accuracy. The main theme -- "Find the loveliness in imperfection" -- is spoken to in all the other lines in different ways. Another important distinction for this poem is that it has a structure that mirrors its theme. Because you eschew the use of rhythm and rhyme, you cast aside symmetry and pattern, echoing the idea contained within. You have truly discovered a beautiful poem with traditionally asymetrical and imperfect conventions.
GRAMMAR/SPELLING: I see nothing at all wrong in these areas. Bravo!
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: This is an absolutely wonderful free verse poem, and I offer no suggestion for improvement. I only offer you the advice that I give to all quality poets concerning their work: revisit your poem often and tweak a word or phrase here and there. Good poems become great with this frequent attention to detail, as you can eventually arrive at exactly what it is you want to say.
FAVORITE LINE(S): Normally, I pull out a couple of my favorite lines and comment briefly on them. This time, however, I will attach a philosophical concept that the line signifies, which, to me, is where the beauty of your piece lies.
"Traces of regeneration, new life formed from death."
--Resurrection

"Tilt, consider the tangential view."
--Nonconformity

"A missing piece, a new perspective of a prior perfect mold."
--Redemption

This is an outstanding poem, Karen! Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

Regards,
PatrickB-new biz with MissBee

2nd place winner
13 imperfect lines

ID: 1771568   (Rated: 13+) Deep Thoughts Contest  Taking stock of the worlds both inside and around us! by The Word Bending Turtle

Prompt: Wabi-Sabi