"The Price of Looking"
You could treat me better.
That much is true.
My friends gather
around the evidence,
holding up pieces
of a trampled heart.
They call it suffering.
I call it beauty.
Great beauty comes
with a price,
they say.
Not always nice.
Always looking good.
A cross to bear
in love's tangled game.
What can I do?
I could have chosen
someone less lovely.
Instead,
I keep paying
for the view.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: June 3rd, 2026 05:16
- Comment from author about the poem: The theme is probably more relatable than at first thought. Hope it gets across. 🙏🏻🕊️
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 26
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments9
Many look for physical beauty in searching for a mate this often comes with a price of living with a undeveloped inner self, egocentrism, pride, infantile qualities. The first thought that I had when reading the title was the price of admission when entering an art gallery or theater, a music festival, or museum. Beauty costs even in the effort of its owner to maintain it. Workouts, diet, with a car or house maintenance a yard or garden. Even a painting needs periodic cleaning and care. A poem itself needs periodic readings by someone or its beauty is lost. Nicely done Cryptic a strong message and warning to any that wish to possess beauty
Eye candy is one of the first thing a person deals with in life even before we learn our first words. It would seem. And yet, it's something we overlook at every developmental stage throughout our life curricula. We are too funny as a race/specie. 🙏🕊️
Indeed often learning too late that the taste is not what we thought
Nicely written. Your poem captures the essence of love as both a beautiful and challenging experience, resonating with anyone who has navigated similar feelings.
Many thanks Friendship 🙏🕊️
it does indeed get across, fine write
Many thanks dear friend 🙏🏻🕊️
most welcome
I don't suppose I will get the message, if it's anything cryptic! lol. Good write A.
Not as cryptic as it used to be. There is hope for us all😃🙏🏻🕊️
You often hear of Someone who is Beautiful but Terrible to live with. You last lines are sadly true. Good Write.
Perhaps the source of many sayings like look but don't touch, going window shopping, etc. 🕊️🙏
Beauty is within most of us Rik but many do not realise this.
Andy
Hopefully our poetry allows a venue for realisation. Thanks, Andy 🕊️🙏
A bittersweet reflection on love and pain, similar thoughts can be found on motivationshayari.com
Thank you so much; most appreciated. 🕊️🙏
Arqios, this really moved me. I love how the poem refuses to frame love purely as suffering or sacrifice. Instead, it embraces the cost willingly. There is tenderness and devotion here, but also a quiet acceptance that beauty is rarely free. Wonderful write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Many thanks Tittu, that is a validation of a mode/aspect of love that brings the mystery to a centring perspective. 🙏🕊️
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