Life In, Life Out
Poem #289 • When the goal to be beautiful becomes torment
At the end of the hall of preparation
in front of the door to a life wide open
light fades into one concentrated streak
A bare-chested woman observes the shadow of her figure on the wall
wondering if by peering through the peephole she’ll know how to receive the life outside
she can’t tell for sure if she’s pretty
As her dark outline oscillates between the way she is and what she could be
in the thin sliver of light
she wonders when her goals to be beautiful became torment
what gave her the why
and when was self-reflection kissed goodbye
Don’t let being fearfully and wonderfully made turn to vanity
2 Corinthians 4:16
“Do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
There is a place for beauty
flesh is not a shield
it is a cover to the soul
whether in leather or paperback
take the time to make sure the outside is a reflection of the bullet of conviction
from your heart to the back
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The closing lines left a strong impression on me. The idea that the outside should reflect the convictions of the heart is a powerful one. It suggests that true beauty begins internally and naturally influences how we present ourselves to the world.
This poem raises an important question about the difference between caring for our appearance and becoming consumed by it. I appreciate how it explores the inner struggle that can develop when self-worth becomes too closely tied to physical beauty. The ending provides a meaningful reminder that character and conviction matter just as much, if not more.