They said beauty was only pain
suffered so the looks would shine
this seems suspect on the whole
when reasons sought are exposed
with the good comes the bad
a contract struck has a price
address the before drop the walk
to the edge of cliff’s height

the peaks climbed are depths to fall
to pin existence on frailty
of the splendor that may pass
when the years take account
Father Time is none too kind
exacting toil on the fair works
that Mother Earth has bequest
and humans sought to possess

this golden ticket opens doors
into lairs where monsters lurk
wanting only the fresh meat
desiring nothing beyond this treat
banality is creature’s spore
seeking what they do not have
feeding cravings deep within
succor from passing grace

expectations set for visual sake
what’s below matters not
when the surface is the glam
drawings eyes and tweaking hearts
evoking grief in its time
when all the bets are on red
by the fall or the trap
beauty held is only pain.

© 2018. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20180615.