Painted Smile Poem by Edmund V. Strolis

A wonderfully descriptive verse, Edmund

I really le joyed reading this poem. The observation of a still life was so beautiful... Yet it left me feeling a little empty, which is what a still life does. I read it immediately, but needed to let it sink in before writing (and make dinner) . The other option here, of course, is a still life in the form of a corpse. Sad, not quite real or alive, but somehow beautiful.... But not really. This is an amazing poem. I'm still thinking about it....

Its sad that such perfection in a vase could be overlooked. Even more so by death. Your insight is a work of wonder abd very beautiful even when sad topics come to light. Beautifully created work Eddie and such a pleasure to read and recreate in ny mind.

I wouldn't want the unwelcome intruder death to come into the interpretation of this poem. To me, your last line stands for human hypocrisy and it is mostly in places ridden with and blinded by hypocrisy and pomp that such joy for eyes are seen well-arranged in glittering vases. Beautifully penned. (10)

Well-written, it leaves me wondering why we cut off the living flowers, confine them into vases, to wither in a day or two, all to commemorate the passing away of one of our own kind. Seems odd when we think about it these flowers dying in the same room as the already dead. Never thought about it before- it is a way to show we honor a person but why do we choose that way? Seems a better way would be to plant a tree or plant a garden in their honor and place a plaque so that people passing by would see the name of the deceased and see beauty and grace living to commemorate it. Now see what happens when you write a poem- -people start thinking novel thoughts.

This poem leaves a deep impression Beautiful description Also sad and poignant What are we so afraid of that even in death we have to look good My husband had an outdoor cremation his body on a pyre Ah, the fierceness, the raw reality and beauty of that type of burial Thought provoking poem

Frozen in beauty, timeless in their vivid perfection...beautiful imagery. All left unseen by eyes closed above your painted smile...a haunting n powerful image of death. The beauty of orchids is put in contrast to the poignancy of death.