Lycia Harding Poet Quatern

A Thing of Beauty

=================================

A thing of beauty on her wrist
was confiscated by a nurse
who looked for items soldiers missed
in places (and by means) much worse.

They branded her inside the camp,
a thing of beauty on her wrist
replaced by Hitler's horrid stamp,
a stinging band below her fist.

With teeming glee, Frau nurse had hissed,
"Thank me that you won't see the baths"
A thing of beauty on HER wrist
the gleaming fee of psychopaths

Now, she who bears the mark of war
lives free and wears her scar not with
remorse. It's more, at ninety-four,
a thing of beauty on her wrist...

========================

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

1 2

David Drowley March 3, 2022 at 6:45 PM Beautifully done. Victory and beauty survive on a holocaust scar. Love the repetition. Lycia Harding March 4, 2022 at 12:46 AM Thank you, David. I love the 'quatern' format, I think with certain pieces, it really enhances the flow

Jennifer Fenn February 22, 2022 at 2:47 PM Wow! I love poems about survivor’s triumph. Was this based on anyone you knew personally? We need more poems like this so it will be harder for Holocaust deniers to rewrite history and therefore allow this to happen again. A fave. Lycia Harding March 4, 2022 at 12:44 AM Thank you, Jennifer. This wasn't based on anyone in particular but I thought about how a survivor might feel reading it and tried to maybe give them a sense if pride and triumph, instead of sorrow and trauma. I hope it worked!

Line Gauthier January 20, 2021 at 6:21 PM Back to congratulate you again at having this wonderful poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Lycia ~

Susan Ashley July 13, 2018 at 9:21 PM Powerful poetry beautifully expressed Lycia. The subtle shift in meaning of the repeated line is delicate but impactful. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Agnes Krampe July 9, 2018 at 8:00 PM Powerful poem, Lycia. Glad you entered it in the contest an I got to read it today.

Line Gauthier July 9, 2018 at 2:28 PM A very moving poem, Lycia. Disturbing for all the right reasons yet beautiful for the strength of the survivor. A definite FAVE for me. Masterfully penned.

Dale Gregory Cozart July 9, 2018 at 8:26 AM Lovely, Lycia. Beautifully metered and enjambed. Lycia Harding July 15, 2018 at 2:02 PM Thank you, Dale! Beautiful use of the word "enjambed" heh heh!

Jesse Day June 9, 2016 at 4:38 PM Congrats on your 2nd place win in the "Any Poem You Ever Penned" poetry contest. I enjoyed your work - Jesse Lycia Harding June 11, 2016 at 7:57 PM Thank you, Jesse, great contest!

Funom Makama January 14, 2016 at 11:04 AM #7 truly underrates this magnificent piece.. Absolutely brilliant

Dalia Shahein January 5, 2016 at 2:10 PM This is a beautiful poem my dear , congrats on ur win you definitely deserve it with this remarkable poem...hugs / / :) dalia

Funom Makama December 24, 2015 at 6:55 AM This is lovely. Wishing you a wonderful christmas season and a fulfilling new year.

Eric Boddie December 13, 2015 at 9:28 PM a thing of Beauty on my screen....well ms lady, that's all that is seen....from the words flowing from your pen....my dear Lycia, you are such an inspiring friend....;)

Keith Bickerstaffe December 13, 2015 at 9:14 PM WOW! Such a wonderful piece! So well developed with a powerful final verse. BRAVO Lycia! Best wishes, Keith

Skat A November 28, 2015 at 2:33 PM Lycia, Congratulations on your well-deserved win. Love SKAT

Paul Callus November 27, 2015 at 11:28 AM Lovely, expressive and creative, poem on this topic, Lycia. Congrats on your fine win. I see that congrats are also due for POTD...well done! Regards // paul Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:54 PM Hi, Paul - Thank you so much! xoxo

Dr. Upma A. Sharma November 26, 2015 at 4:20 AM Congrats on ur wonderful win Lycia.. great pen! Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:53 PM Hi, Dr. Sharma - Thank you! xoxo

Beautiful Scars November 24, 2015 at 5:26 PM Lycia..congrats on your win in my first contest! Awesome and emotional..thank you :)-lu *smiles* Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:51 PM Hi, Laura - Thank you, so much for the excellent contest! Very inspiring topic. xoxo

Ralph Sergi November 24, 2015 at 4:00 PM An Awesome poem, Lycia: It was very emotional. Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:49 PM Hi, Paul - Thank you! xoxo

Judy Konos November 24, 2015 at 3:57 PM Deep thoughts put together with imaginative pen and ink. It's a WOW WOW and Congratulations on Poem of the Day! Well deserved Lycia Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:49 PM Hi, Judy - Thank you! xoxo

Eileen Manassian November 24, 2015 at 2:29 PM This is a very deep write, Lycia. The ending is simply beautiful. A sign that bears testimony to what you have lost and the spirit that still resides inside. Powerful. Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:46 PM Thank you, Eileen! xoxo

Gary Bateman November 24, 2015 at 2:27 PM Hello Lycia, Congratulations on POTD!! Very Well-Done here for sure. A very deeply articulated and well-conceived Quatern, wrought with courage, passion, emotion, and that spirit of an indomitable will of personal survival. A "7" + A "FAV"!! Outstanding Work!! Many like tragedies pervade our world even still today (especially with "ISIS" and other horrible terrorist groups)!! All of this after 70+ years since the fall of the Nazis and the death of Hitler. Cheers and Best, Gary Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:44 PM Thank you, Gary! And thank you so much for your much appreciated expertise. xoxo

Anne-Lise Andresen November 24, 2015 at 1:38 PM - A really great write, Lycia - Congrats on your p.o.t.d. - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 12:43 PM Hi, Anne-Lise - Thank you! xoxo

Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 12:22 PM We are reading the boy in the striped pyjamas at school - i found the poem sent a shiver down my spine - congrats on POTD Lycia - love your take on the theme:-) good luck hugs jan xx Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 9:55 AM Jan, I truly look forward to your comments, they're always so descriptive and supportive. Thank you! xoxo

Richard Lamoureux November 24, 2015 at 9:46 AM Great choice for POTD! Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 9:38 AM Hi, Richard - Thank you! xoxo

Rizwana Bhurani November 24, 2015 at 7:35 AM A creative impressive poetic piece indeed.... Lycia Harding November 27, 2015 at 9:38 AM Thank you, Rizwana! xoxo

1 2