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The Eye of the Beholder

We See What We Want To See White lines carelessly scribbled oblique For those who believe, a crucifix unique Amidst this domain, beauty fills empty space Wings of an angel, profile of a face A bold, immense mammoth, a fierce dinosaur Their presence once solid, but now metaphors A heart, though misshapen, its meaning quite clear One’s lover must now be the omniscient seer Mountains so broad, clustered together as one Shift slightly; a thin crevice welcomes the sun Light through the crevice emerges, then fades As the mountains float on in the sky parade While drifting and dancing, these shapes may transmute New chance for imagination to take root The massive, dark storm clouds set my visions free For the beauty in life is what we choose to see… June 4, 2021

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Meghan Hutchings

Date: 1/7/2022 3:06:00 PM

I feel silly commenting on my own poem, but this is actually one of my favorite poems I've written. It doesn't seem to resonate with many people, but the directions of the contest were to look at something in nature from a different point of view without naming the object. I chose clouds because I love all the various things you can see, depending on your mood, what is beautiful to you, or any variable. I hope that explains the poem a little better! Thank you for reading!

John Watt
Date: 1/18/2022 5:18:00 PM

Meghan, I can totally understand why this is one of your favorites! No, it's not silly at all to add a comment to help explain your writing, if you feel it is helpful to the reader. Sometimes I put an author's note after the poem that aids the reader with a little context or some background to the writing. I noticed you did that in your poem "For Harley" to help the reader understand who Harley was and who the intended recipients were. I felt it really helped in my appreciation of your poem. By the way, do you know the song "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell? The first verse is about clouds and how we see them differently throughout our life.

John Watt

Date: 12/31/2021 9:08:00 PM

Meghan, I don't know where to start because every line of this is so sublime. "White lines carelessly scribbled oblique" is such an amazing way to start a poem... it whets the appetite for the journey. "Amidst this domain, beauty fills empty space", isn't that the reason we are poets (or artists, or musicians), to fill our empty space with beauty? The mammoth and dinosaur bringing in elements of the past, the lover as omniscient seer, maybe a God reference? Then the hope that comes with the light breaking through the thin crevices in life, as imagination takes root. Love your ending too, it's all pure poetry to me and going in my faves. Thanks for sharing and have a happy new year ~ John

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 1/2/2022 3:18:00 PM

John, Your responses are so beautifully written & poetic themselves! Your words truly touch my heart, & I sincerely appreciate every second you take to write all the kind & specific feedback you give me. You are a generous soul, and you inspire me to keep writing from the depths of my emotions. To evoke emotion from my readers has always been my goal, and you consistently assure me I am successful. Thank you, God bless you, and happy New Year! Much love, Meghan