Home » Poems » Carolyn Devonshire » Her Perfect Painting

Carolyn Devonshire | + Follow Poet |

Her Perfect Painting

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Carolyn Devonshire.

striving for perfection hours, days, months flew past always revising, never satisfied tears came, so did smiles when she finally finished emptiness grew within what would she do now that she’d achieved perfection loneliness followed her brush left in a closet no goals yet to reach she succumbed to idle musings of that one day perfection took her zest away *December 14, 2018

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Line Gauthier

Date: 2/6/2021 7:30:00 PM

So true, Carolyn ~ perfection is not the end all. It is the difference between creativity and criticism. So glad to find this wonderful poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology ~

John Gondolf

Date: 12/2/2020 5:54:00 PM

Carolyn, I enjoyed reading this poem in the anthology, congrats on having it included. Perhaps always trying to be perfect is why I’m having trouble writing lately. Hugs, John

John Watt

Date: 10/2/2020 11:57:00 AM

Lovely writing about the demon of perfection and how it can steal away the zest of creativity. I've fought that demon myself, and I know the paralyzing impact it can have. Learning to let it go and let it fly, then move on to the next! Congrats on your win today, my friend ~ John

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/2/2020 2:57:00 PM

Thanks, John. This happens on occasion when I write something I like. Afterward, it's hard for me to "match" it. Glad you understand what I mean. Guess it happens to many of us.

John Hamilton

Date: 10/2/2020 10:48:00 AM

A wonderful write Carolyn, congrats on a nice win!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/20/2018 8:55:00 PM

oh this is such good writing, Carolyn. I wanted so badly to catch up tonight. But I cannot even see 1/4 of the number of poets I want to visit. Joe on his way home and dishes not done. I will flee here in six minutes (see my one-liner, it came to me very suddenly, for it'd just how I am feeling)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/20/2018 8:55:00 PM

also thanks for my win on your list!!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/18/2018 7:27:00 PM

As the young child, forced to practice piano, replied to her mother's adage that 'practice makes perfect:' "But who wants to be perfect, Mom!" Holiday best, Gershon

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/18/2018 7:42:00 PM

I use "perfect" loosely here because the poem was inspired by a short film called "The Perfect Painting." It can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzo3UQ_3lFM

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 12/18/2018 6:12:00 PM

This is wonderful, Carolyn, and I love the layers and phrasing and flow ... I must fav this! Excellent work, my friend. Happy holidays to you and yours! :-) <3

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/18/2018 7:34:00 PM

Thanks, Gregory. Enjoy the holidays!

M. L. Kiser

Date: 12/18/2018 10:30:00 AM

Very clever and original; perfection's so draining. Or so they tell me; I've never managed to achieve it.

M Asim Nehal

Date: 12/18/2018 8:16:00 AM

Outstanding poem, Inspiring and motivational.

Robert A. Dufresne

Date: 12/17/2018 5:25:00 AM

What a wonderful fob using your well though out poem to convey humanity's greater need to always strive for rather than actually achieve success. St Mother Theresa of Calcutta once said, "we must strive to be faithful, not successful. congrats on your well deserved win.

Wren Rushing

Date: 12/16/2018 12:35:00 PM

Life will always offer a new puzzle to solve. Congrats on your win Carolyn!

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/16/2018 11:54:00 AM

Congratulations for your win! :)

Silent One

Date: 12/16/2018 6:48:00 AM

Sadly perfection is a difficult thing to achieve, but an artist will always aim to do that... A sad poem, sadder that it is a true reflection of many an artist...

Beata Agustin

Date: 12/16/2018 6:41:00 AM

Your piece presents a reality I personally have to face. Thanks for sharing your talent. Congratulations. God bless you.

Vladislav Raven

Date: 12/15/2018 4:06:00 PM

Hi Carolyn, striving for perfection can be the worst thing of all. Once perfection is reached where else is there for a person to go. I can understand that it does take the zest away. I do love the content of this write. One day I may be able to write something that I can hold up and be truly proud of. The struggle of the artist to reach her perfection, then to find she cannot reach those heights again, that would be terrible indeed. Have a wonderful Saturday. Hugs....Mike. XX

Tom Cunningham

Date: 12/15/2018 7:15:00 AM

Once goals are achieved there's not much left afterwards, I can understand why it took her zest away. One should always keep a little in reserve. Tom.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/15/2018 10:55:00 AM

So true, Tom. Thanks for reading.

Paul Callus

Date: 12/15/2018 4:56:00 AM

Her mistake was striving for true perfection! As humans we can never achieve that, so striving for excellence would have been a more sensible solution. The subject of this beautiful poem achieved her own definition of perfection...in time she'll realize that she can repeat that feat, and maybe reach an even higher level. ~ Hugs // paul

Paul Callus
Date: 12/16/2018 7:56:00 AM

Amongst my first poems posted @ Soup I had/have one called "The Perfect Painting"; it more or less tackles the same theme. Hugs // paul

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/15/2018 10:54:00 AM

I understand what you're saying, Paul. I was inspired by a short film called The Perfect Painting. When it comes to my own work, there is no perfection. Sometimes, when I write something I like, I get frustrated trying to match it and my interest in writing wanes..

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/14/2018 10:46:00 PM

A vexing dilemma you have portrayed Carolyn. I have never met an artist who reached this pentacle. Most art is a challenge but once in a while there is that perfect poem that you wouldn't want to change a thing about. I deep piece Carolyn. Well written! : )

Caycay Jennings

Date: 12/14/2018 5:22:00 PM

Makes me glad I'm never going to achieve perfection. It's as though you are poetically delivering a moral; that the journey is the 'thing', not the arrival. Very well done, Carolyn, and very deep. Poetry hugs ... CayCay

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/14/2018 5:29:00 PM

Thank you for your kind comment, CayCay.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 12/14/2018 4:24:00 PM

Eloquently you described the artist's mind..striving for that ultimate milestone..through all the highs and lows. And as you say..perfection took her zest away. Your poem applies to all artistic minds..a special poem..much said in a short poem..as only a few can. Kudos, Carolyn.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/14/2018 5:04:00 PM

Thank you, Vijay. Some of my favorite poets (Emily Dickinson, Robert Blake, Carl Sandburg) often wrote just a few words to convey a message. I really appreciate your comments, my friend, and will see if you have posted something new.

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/14/2018 4:20:00 PM

Oh my, so sad. Well expressed! :)

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/14/2018 4:57:00 PM

An elderly lady once told me that she marvels at how young people struggle to make a better life, without realizing that the true joy is in the struggle...

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/14/2018 4:16:00 PM

I enjoyed the dramatic emotions of your beautifully expressive poem, Carolyn. Maybe her idle musings will lead to exquisite poetry and renewed zest.. an exceptional and captivating piece. Warmest wishes always my lovely friend.. ~Susan

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/14/2018 4:48:00 PM

Thank you, Susan. I appreciate your kind comments. Will visit your page now.

Chris Green

Date: 12/14/2018 4:03:00 PM

I know exactly what you are talking about here Carolyn, not so much perfection but that thing you strive for, that engulfs your mind, you try and try and then you finally achieve it and after that it is kind of a let down when you realize, there's nothing left to strive for. But, there is always something to strive for like looking forward to another beautiful poem from you. This was fantastic.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/14/2018 4:39:00 PM

Chris, I'm delighted you understand exactly what I was trying to convey. As poets, when we struggle for months to find the right words and are finally satisfied, there's a joy that follows. But it doesn't last for long and it can impede our creative process if we feel we can't match it. Your comments mean so much!