Home » Poems » Lycia Harding » A Thing of Beauty

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 eighty-four, a thing of beauty on her wrist... ========================

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

David Drowley

Date: 3/3/2022 6:45:00 PM

Beautifully done. Victory and beauty survive on a holocaust scar. Love the repetition.

Lycia Harding
Date: 3/4/2022 12:46:00 AM

Thank you, David. I love the 'quatern' format, I think with certain pieces, it really enhances the flow

Jennifer Fenn

Date: 2/22/2022 2:47:00 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
Date: 3/4/2022 12:44:00 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

Date: 1/20/2021 6:21:00 PM

Back to congratulate you again at having this wonderful poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Lycia ~

Susan Ashley

Date: 7/13/2018 9:21:00 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

Date: 7/9/2018 8:00:00 PM

Powerful poem, Lycia. Glad you entered it in the contest an I got to read it today.

Line Gauthier

Date: 7/9/2018 2:28:00 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

Date: 7/9/2018 8:26:00 AM

Lovely, Lycia. Beautifully metered and enjambed.

Lycia Harding
Date: 7/15/2018 2:02:00 PM

Thank you, Dale! Beautiful use of the word "enjambed" heh heh!

Jesse Day

Date: 6/9/2016 4:38:00 PM

Congrats on your 2nd place win in the "Any Poem You Ever Penned" poetry contest. I enjoyed your work - Jesse

Lycia Harding
Date: 6/11/2016 7:57:00 PM

Thank you, Jesse, great contest!

Funom Makama

Date: 1/14/2016 11:04:00 AM

#7 truly underrates this magnificent piece.. Absolutely brilliant

Dalia Shahein

Date: 1/5/2016 2:10:00 PM

This is a beautiful poem my dear , congrats on ur win you definitely deserve it with this remarkable poem...hugs / / :) dalia

Funom Makama

Date: 12/24/2015 6:55:00 AM

This is lovely. Wishing you a wonderful christmas season and a fulfilling new year.

Eric Boddie

Date: 12/13/2015 9:28:00 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

Date: 12/13/2015 9:14:00 PM

WOW! Such a wonderful piece! So well developed with a powerful final verse. BRAVO Lycia! Best wishes, Keith

Skat A

Date: 11/28/2015 2:33:00 PM

Lycia, Congratulations on your well-deserved win. Love SKAT

Paul Callus

Date: 11/27/2015 11:28:00 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
Date: 11/27/2015 12:54:00 PM

Hi, Paul - Thank you so much! xoxo

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 11/26/2015 4:20:00 AM

Congrats on ur wonderful win Lycia.. great pen!

Lycia Harding
Date: 11/27/2015 12:53:00 PM

Hi, Dr. Sharma - Thank you! xoxo

Lu Loo

Date: 11/24/2015 5:26:00 PM

Lycia..congrats on your win in my first contest! Awesome and emotional..thank you :)-lu *smiles*

Lycia Harding
Date: 11/27/2015 12:51:00 PM

Hi, Laura - Thank you, so much for the excellent contest! Very inspiring topic. xoxo

Ralph Sergi

Date: 11/24/2015 4:00:00 PM

An Awesome poem, Lycia: It was very emotional.

Lycia Harding
Date: 11/27/2015 12:49:00 PM

Hi, Paul - Thank you! xoxo

Judy Konos

Date: 11/24/2015 3:57:00 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
Date: 11/27/2015 12:49:00 PM

Hi, Judy - Thank you! xoxo

Eileen Manassian

Date: 11/24/2015 2:29:00 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
Date: 11/27/2015 12:46:00 PM

Thank you, Eileen! xoxo

Gary Bateman

Date: 11/24/2015 2:27:00 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
Date: 11/27/2015 12:44:00 PM

Thank you, Gary! And thank you so much for your much appreciated expertise. xoxo

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 11/24/2015 1:38:00 PM

- A really great write, Lycia - Congrats on your p.o.t.d. - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Lycia Harding
Date: 11/27/2015 12:43:00 PM

Hi, Anne-Lise - Thank you! xoxo

Jan Allison

Date: 11/24/2015 12:22:00 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
Date: 11/27/2015 9:55:00 AM

Jan, I truly look forward to your comments, they're always so descriptive and supportive. Thank you! xoxo

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 11/24/2015 9:46:00 AM

Great choice for POTD!

Lycia Harding
Date: 11/27/2015 9:38:00 AM

Hi, Richard - Thank you! xoxo

Rizwana Bhurani

Date: 11/24/2015 7:35:00 AM

A creative impressive poetic piece indeed....

Lycia Harding
Date: 11/27/2015 9:38:00 AM

Thank you, Rizwana! xoxo