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Hidden Beauty

Hidden beauty resides not in the grace like charms Of coy smiles Painted across a gentle Madonnas face. Nor is she vested within the chastened vows Of saintly knights; encased Great-Helm: Thus maketh the pale maidens meek pulse To so fervently race! She neither dwells in fair Michelangelos alabaster statues, Or famed masterpieces hung upon hushed galleries Hallowed walls. Never does she proudly boast from-on-high In lofty ivory towers, Or brazenly shout across yawning grandiose marble halls! For she will not be found in royal palaces, Or sprawling estates of greatly lauded piles; She is not to be found in ancient cathedrals - Or exalted from their most sacred holy aisles! She will not be found in hidden empires in brave new worlds Frontiered by far flung foam washed shores; Nor found prowling echoing dusty bank vaults - If all the worlds bankers Were to throw open all of their bolted cold steel doors! For hidden beauty knows all the crafts and wisdoms Of learned mens most subtle and tricky arts: And cares not a jot, or gives a damn, For all the poets and their foolish sentimental hearts! But..... Perhaps she shyly glowers inside a sun struck morn - Her stealing lips simmering upon the dew kissed dawn; Perhaps she wantonly flirts alongside a babbling brook - Where sweet Virgil, Her, for a Muse mistook; Perhaps she frequents the flowery paths of verdant pasture - With all their lush, vibrant, unassuming rapture; Perhaps you may find her in the dappled shades - In and amongst the streaming glades; Perhaps she traipses idly through heavens lights - Of beached harvest moons and star tilted nights. Or..... Perhaps she briefly flickers across sizzling lightening strikes - Accompanying thunderous cannonades of symphonic rolling might; Perhaps she sometimes ignites the drifting tallgrass plains - Glistening within fleeting rainbows blazing an arc over sparkling rains; Perhaps she is in the gulf filled roar of stormy headlands - Whose pounding seas smash and grind the sheering cliffs to sands; Perhaps she burns across diamond ice in glacial mountains high - Where frozen snows reach sharply upwards to rip open the azured sky; Perhaps she slumbers in impenetrable greening forests deep - Lain down with the hunted grey wolf...safe at last in contented sleep! For..... I am the glint rippling upon the gleam - The tumbling cryptic flashing only partly seen; I am the eternal flame that crackles in the grate - The enigmatic, indecipherable, most profound innate; I am the paradox within the intrigue - That does so contrive but does not deceive; I am the quantum within the curled up string - The grain of truth from which all half-truths spring. I am all these indefinable moments and much, much more... which all of your befuddled senses are resigned to grapple with - Whereupon to set such store! So..... Content yourself and make not the mistake To assuredly set me aside to thus debate. For i am beyond the conjectures of a mere mortal mind, As by accidental-consequential reaction...i cannot be denied! For "Hidden Beauty"..... Once freed from Pandoras box upon this spinning coil: To fire and play upon your enchanted thoughts - and forever foil!!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015




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Date: 10/2/2019 10:26:00 AM
Beauty's eternal foil . . . To inspire is: "... to wear it well at the breathless corners".- This ~ tour de force. You shouldn't waste your time reading these comments John, because: "The world needs good poetry and it doesn't matter a damn who writes it". - (?) Hemingway? ---- I once said to a writers group: "Write 'till lightning strikes". For you it strikes again and again. --- Grace for grace of this classic work.
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Date: 7/2/2018 11:47:00 AM
Once again, this poem is a double fave -- Written so masterfully with ageless insights. When I need inspirational reading before retiring, I shall return to your poetry. May each day uncover hidden beauty for you, John! Kathy
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Date: 1/24/2018 1:13:00 AM
you have a beautiful mind. Your words inspire me to keep writing, thank you.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/29/2018 2:20:00 AM
Rebecca...this is indeed a most beautiful thing for you to have said. Thank you! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance -- very pleased to meet you! My very best regards. :) john
Date: 1/15/2018 7:08:00 PM
You are an amazing , talented writer! :)
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John Fleming
Date: 1/21/2018 3:41:00 AM
Heidi, that is a very lovely comment to make regarding someones writing...I am very, very grateful. My most sincere thanks! My very warmest regards, Heidi...as always of course. Your appreciative friend. :) john
Date: 10/21/2017 8:04:00 PM
Nice to meet you,my friend!Which country are you from?Tyvm!
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Shmily Wang
Date: 10/22/2017 10:57:00 PM
Thanks,my dear friend.Hope you a good life! :)Shmily
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John Fleming
Date: 10/22/2017 6:42:00 AM
Hello, Shmily. I reside in England; my home is in the county of Cheshire...heavily industrialized in certain areas but still retaining a lot of farming land. It is, I suppose, an area of great contrasts. The north west of England is now the most densely populated area of the country...and what is left of the traditional countryside, little villages and isolated hamlets, is disappearing fast -- soon it will be just one massive metropolis! Ah well...such is the way of all such similar things. My very warmest regards, Shmily. :) john
Date: 8/5/2017 4:29:00 PM
I thought I would return to revisit this wonderful epic endeavor that I loved so much the first time I read it I had to Fave it. It is more than a poem, it is an experience! I loved reading it again. I hope your muse inspires you to pick up your pen again soon. Blessings, Connie
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John Fleming
Date: 8/7/2017 8:15:00 PM
Hi, Connie. I am very pleased indeed to know you still enjoy reading this poem of mine...and it is very nice of you to say so - thank you! I am still writing, although admittedly not so much due to other considerations, and will upload a poem or two very soon. All my warmest regards as always, Connie. :) john
Date: 5/7/2017 8:19:00 PM
Wow, John, You crafted your hidden brillianity into an epic art. Fantastically done, I am just in awe of your work. Looking forward to the next one :)
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John Fleming
Date: 5/8/2017 1:43:00 AM
I am pleased you enjoyed reading the poem, Akkina...It is one of my more favourite ones. Catch up with you very soon. My warmest regards! :) john P.s This actually got a POTW :)
Date: 2/6/2017 10:26:00 PM
Bravo John, you really knocked the ball out of the park on this one! Masterful use of words and expressions; it is a very rare gift you have, I seldom see it. I have to favorite you as a poet!
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John Fleming
Date: 2/8/2017 9:18:00 AM
Hi, Keith. Thank you for your lovely comments - They are so much appreciated! I am most pleased you enjoyed the read...Please feel free to visit and comment at any time you wish. My sincerest gratitude, Keith...And my very warmest regards - Cheers! :) john
Date: 1/11/2017 9:38:00 AM
John, This is amazing! I'm left wondering what your background is in art and literature and travel for you bring so much knowledge and wisdom to your writing. And you integrate it so well. I will be following you in the future. I do not want to miss your poems. Kathy
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John Fleming
Date: 1/13/2017 10:54:00 AM
Hello, Kathy. Firstly, allow me to say that it is a real pleasure to make your acquaintance...Nice to know you! Regarding my background in the arts...The truth is I do not have any - But I have an inquiring mind! Today, with the power of the mighty internet at our disposal, there is no longer any excuse for ignorance: The world can be everyones oyster! Thank you so much for your kind comments, Kathy - They are always so much appreciated by me! All my very best. :) john
Date: 1/9/2017 6:29:00 AM
Absolutely stunning! This and your other poems are top class. Excited to see more of your work.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/9/2017 1:18:00 PM
Thank you, Carolyn, for your kind and generous comments - They are much appreciated! Nice to become acquainted; it will be a real pleasure for me to see you putting in an appearance at anytime on my little corner of the "Soup"...Be assured, you will always be most welcome! All the very best! :) john
Date: 1/5/2017 4:38:00 AM
This is amazing John, I love your writing style the words you use are still floating by me. You are a true inspiration :)
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John Fleming
Date: 1/5/2017 12:56:00 PM
Janet - A real pleasure to make your acquaintance! Thank you so much for your kind and generous comments - It is truly appreciated! My very best regards, Janet. :) john
Date: 9/9/2016 8:26:00 AM
What a perfect storm of enchanting words!
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John Fleming
Date: 9/11/2016 2:37:00 PM
Thank you, Chelcie...That is a very lovely comment to make - You can always be assured of a warm welcome here! My very best regards, Chelcie. :) john
Date: 8/27/2016 4:32:00 PM
Wow....im completely in awe at this poem. Very well written and perfectly said....great write. And thank you so much for your comment on Hearts That Never Mend....i most certainly appreciate it.
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John Fleming
Date: 8/28/2016 1:22:00 PM
Jeff, you are most welcome here...at anytime. Thank you so very much for the return visit and leaving such positive comments - It is always appreciated! My very best regards, Jeff. :) john
Date: 8/24/2016 3:30:00 AM
This is absolutely beautiful and true. And those words you use. This so absolutely different from what I am writing and it starts off my day very well. Thank you, Kai
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John Fleming
Date: 8/25/2016 3:27:00 AM
Kai, It is a real pleasure to make your acquaintance...You will always be most welcome here! Thank you for your kind and generous comments - Very much appreciated! My very best regards. :) john
Date: 6/6/2016 5:48:00 AM
Deeply thought and then so cleverly written. I would give maximum points.
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John Fleming
Date: 6/6/2016 10:38:00 AM
Hello, Messoh. So very nice to become acquainted! Thank you for the visit...And thank you for your kind and generous comments - Cheers! My best regards. :) john
Date: 5/17/2016 12:13:00 AM
Reminds me of my favorite lyricists writing style. His name is Neil Peart, the drummer for Rush. Spot on creation John! Solid 7+
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John Fleming
Date: 5/18/2016 2:40:00 AM
Hi, Red. Glad you enjoyed the poem...It is widely regarded as one of my more better ones. I will take a look at Mr Pearts writing style sometime in the very near future; who knows it may well inspire me with a few ideas of my own. Thanks for the visit and kind comments, Red - Much appreciated! My very best regards, as always...And warmest wishes. :) john
Date: 1/11/2016 2:01:00 PM
A TRUE MASTERPIECE OF CLASSICAL POETRY! What a journey this took me on. Thank you for sharing, John. Sincerely, Elaine
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John Fleming
Date: 1/11/2016 2:42:00 PM
Thank you, Elaine. It goes without saying that I am most grateful for the high tribute you have accorded me. I am very pleased you enjoyed the poem; and many thanks for taking the time to read it through - Much appreciated! My very best regards to you as always! :) john
Date: 11/18/2015 3:21:00 AM
Omgggggg. Where do I begin? ?????? first, thank you for your heartfelt comments. second, i feel so unworthy of Queen Poetry (or King). i felt like each metaphor was pulling at me, choking me (as if i wasn't already overreacting and idolizing). Wow. I'm never speechless. This left my speechless. Part two should be like 3 lines. PoetrySoup would riot!! haha..
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John Fleming
Date: 11/18/2015 5:09:00 AM
Hi, Chante...Pleased to make your acquaintance! Thanks for the kind comments - Much obliged! Best regards! :) john P.s I will be reading more of your poetry in the near future.
Date: 11/15/2015 12:17:00 AM
Oh yes....you are the Hidden Beauty of Poetry! This is so eloquently written in classic rhyme that will forever remain timeless my friend! Your poem gave me chills and thrills. Bravo! Encore, encore!
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John Fleming
Date: 11/15/2015 5:22:00 AM
Many, many thanks, Connie - You always were, and always will be, my most favourite commentator! Your generous comments and kind praise, more than any other one person, has encouraged me to carry on writing poetry. I can never thank you enough. My eternal thanks - And with warmest affection! :) john.
Date: 10/21/2015 11:10:00 PM
WOW! Wonderful writing man! Loved it! :)
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John Fleming
Date: 10/22/2015 5:06:00 AM
Hello, Bikal. Many thanks for the visit and kind comments. You are most welcome here at anytime...My very best regards, Bikal! :) john
Date: 10/3/2015 3:05:00 PM
Loved it. Beautiful write ! :)
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John Fleming
Date: 10/3/2015 5:34:00 PM
Thank you, Dew. I am most pleased to make your acquaintance. My very best to you...Cheers! :) john
Date: 8/13/2015 1:39:00 PM
Dear John, wow! What an awesome write! Beautifully described....the real meaning of being beautiful at heart and soul! No faking no pretending..... I loved it! 7!!!! Rating! Love, Anu:-)
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John Fleming
Date: 8/15/2015 1:49:00 PM
Anu, My friend: You understand the true meaning of my poem - So many do not! True beauty is found in the heart...Yes, in the heart. Thank you, Anu! All my very best to you!! :) john
Date: 7/9/2015 6:51:00 AM
This is an awesome write. I appreciate the true message of your candid expression.
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John Fleming
Date: 7/9/2015 1:01:00 PM
Thank you so very much, Funom, for your visit and very kind, generous comments - it is very much appreciated! My very best regards!! :) john
Date: 2/20/2015 5:32:00 AM
"Hey John... Your works is amazing! I really love it. The way you express yourself is unique. Thanks for sharing it here. :-) "
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Malvika Shanker
Date: 2/21/2015 1:58:00 AM
"Your most welcome sir. :-) You truly deserve all the appreciation. :-) "
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John Fleming
Date: 2/20/2015 5:58:00 AM
Malvika, that is one of the finest comments anyone has ever said of my "humble efforts"! Thank you so very much!! best regards!! :) john.
Date: 2/17/2015 5:42:00 PM
John Your generous response to Racing Issues provoked a peek in your direction; and then I fell into this hidden beauty!!!! Wow, you took all the right words and left me nothing to say but thank you for this generous gift.
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John Fleming
Date: 2/18/2015 5:25:00 AM
Gerald...you are most kind!! Thank you ever so much for your visit and lovely comments! Allow me to say: "How very pleased i am to make your acquaintance"! :) john.
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