My clumpy make-up in cotton
balls are scattered myrrh
Suds swallow my freckles
washing away oil & dirt
There's a lot of stories between
my sagging eyebrows
& cheekbones, a slow dance
of water spray & gravity of age
The mirror is shifting sands,
peeling symbols & labels to dust
Quick shuffle of hands
my face cleansed, a canvas
Recast in pale
shadows of melting winter snow
With pat of towel,
I go to the window & search
for the solemn quarter
of moon,
unclothed in glorious silver
its light never held back by clouds
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - OpenlinkNight - Hosted by Mary
Pulling back the veil in many a way, to see the moon's display
ReplyDeleteLove "shadows of melting winter snow".....so evocative of this season of the year when we move into spring.
ReplyDeleteTruly, you can bare all before the moon as it knows how to appreciate the beauty of a blank canvas. I like your title, Grace, and this piece most def. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous write especially adore the close :)
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
Subtraction in the evening.......love this title and all it evokes. We do wash away the make-up, the layers of pretend, and the sliver of moon that stands unveiled. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is precious, grace. I love the way the speaker takes us on a tour of her face, of the way she sees life... and I'm enchanted by how, in the last line, she lets us see that true beauty can't be shadowed. ♥
ReplyDeleteTo turn the evening ritual of washing one's face into poetry is quite the feat. Excellent flow to this and I love the ending.
ReplyDeleteI like that there is no vanity here - just the simple acceptance of time and self. Somehow, the uncovered face has more beauty and character to it.
ReplyDeleteThis piece says to me...our peers at the night sky often peel back time and even if only for a moment...one can almost feel the hand movements of this poem...lushly spare...
ReplyDeleteLove that bright image of the moon in the last stanza.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, and I particularly like "solemn quarter of moon"
ReplyDeleteI always see myself tucked into your poems, whether you intend it or not. Here, I am the moon and you're paying me the most beautiful, tender, and loving compliments. Every time I read one of your poems, I feel like you just gave me the sweetest hug. :)
ReplyDeleteThis was lovely and so descriptive.
ReplyDeleteLove the image of the moon ! Great share.
ReplyDeleteAn evening cleansing, There is beauty in that moon in a natural state.
ReplyDelete"The mirror is shifting sands," truth so beautifully expressed.. & beautiful image of the moon..
ReplyDeleteI love the rhyme in these lines; the idea of the mirror shifting instead of a face changing; and the shuffling of hands - a game of chance maybe?
ReplyDeleteThe mirror is shifting sands,
peeling symbols & labels to dust
Quick shuffle of hands
my face cleansed, a canvas
So lovely, Grace. One's face, a canvas. Cool. Also true.
ReplyDeleteSome lovely words.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I don't wear make-up - what a performance!!!
unclothed in glorious silver
ReplyDeleteits light never held back by clouds
Even unclothed the natural beauty of the moon sustains itself. So also for elegant ladies!
Hank
A very imaginative take on the evenings prep for slumber. In this case, men have a slight advantage, for as age adds wrinkles & lines, our faces just deepen in character. I do love it when my wife just faces a day "fresh-faced", but make-up is still her staple.
ReplyDeleteThis really made me want to take a nice soaking bath by moonlight. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteYou made the nightly ritual of facial cleansing so poetic and magical, Grace. :-)
ReplyDelete~Imelda
This is enchanting and I love the way you bring the moon's face in at the end.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile. I can relate. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteI agree with others that marvel at the elevation you've achieved of this ritual. The poem is beautiful, peaceful, and wise. Your lyric sensibilities always delight!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and elegant. Love the resigned tone and unhurried pace of your words.
ReplyDeletewhat a classy write. love the idea of the canvas as a face. the whole thing is really exceptional.
ReplyDeleteLove the third couplet...every line, wrinkle, and blemish had a tale to tell :-)
ReplyDeleteThis information you provided in the blog that was really unique I love it!!, Thanks for sharing such a great blog..Keep posting.
ReplyDeleteGrace
Beautiful <3 <3
ReplyDelete'solemn quarter of moon' - love that line ~
ReplyDeleteTruly beautiful, Grace! I loved the images in this. I can't find the right words to describe how lovely it is!
ReplyDeleteAh... Apocalypse
ReplyDeletecomes iN Quarter..
Half.. and FuLL
mOOn
wayS..
tRuLy
onlY reAlly
MeaNinG veil
oF Ignorance iS
lifTEd iNow..
per
original
Greek
oF hope
vs. hUman
EviL waS iN
wishinG
dArk
into
foolish
fruition..
sAdly.. sTiLL
So..:(..
iN bLack
Magic way..;)