linear legacies

when we encounter beauty our reaction is to dissect. 
a delicate flower, taken home for examination under the microscope
becomes pixelated, withers and fades - unable to radiate wonder.

we study only one source of beauty, ignore the others
parallel narratives or counterintuitive paradoxes, 
eschewed.

parolee // grieving father in the park
thief // young artist on the forest path
one to avoid // town's pride

landscapes of life shape us,
virtues from each moment cling / alongside / blemishes
negativity tarnishes under layers 
one side // only

when we encounter disgust our immediate reaction is avoidance
a corroded vase remains scuffed, smudged and useless
we do not shine the surface, explore hidden realms beyond the grime

beauty must die
as ugly lives on, untouched.

is this our legacy?

:: written: August 30, 2014