Self Mercy (New Poem by Polly Castor)

Self Mercy (New Poem by Polly Castor)

Self mercy poem

Self Mercy

When I take a photo
of a gorgeous
sunrise or sunset
and it doesn’t at all
do justice
to the incredible,
magnificent beauty
that’s there in real life–
do I blame the scene?
No, we know it’s
a failure of technology.
Why then, when I see
a bad photo of myself
do I cringe and descend
into a tailspin of recrimination?
The camera was just unsuccessful
in capturing my marvelous qualities
which are not material anyway.
I can just let it go,
and give myself a reprieve;
the shortcoming of the equipment
does not necessitate me
being disappointed in myself
any more than I am
in that lovely sky
which is just
simply too stunning
to be duplicated.

by Polly Castor

I work to amplify good wherever I find it. I love color, texture, beauty, great ideas, nature, metaphor, deliciousness, genuine spirituality, and exploring new territory. I encourage authenticity, nurture creativity, champion sustainability, promote peace, and hope to foster a new renaissance where we all are free to be our most fulfilled, multifaceted, and terrific selves. Read more here.

2 Comments

  1. Emily 2 years ago

    Polly,
    Sich a helpful poem. I shall remember every time I look at a photo of myself or others! And even when I look in the mirror. Thank you 😊

  2. Sue Krevitt 2 years ago

    Ohhhhhhh I can SOOOO relate, Polly!

    I take a photo almost every day of our wonderful sweeping view, often with magnificent sunsets…thinking the
    same: How to “capture it all?” Pretty funny. But I gotta try! And then there are photos of me…Sigh. I feel so differently than I look in those cruel) photos. Of course, so silly to try to”capture” the wonder of wonderful idea, Sue! Oh, the limits of the material senses!! And how we yearn to break free of em! Sigh. But, in the meantime, we can rejoice in the Facts
    of Who We Really ARE, and What a Sunset is Saying to us!! It’s a Wonderful Journey, huh.

    Love your … YOU, Polly! Your photography, poetry, art, all of it. YOU GOT IT GOIN’ ON, GIRL! As do we ALL, huh!

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