avatarAustin Briggman

Summary

The poem "Smeared On The Floor" depicts a tragic scene of a fallen creature, possibly an angel, amidst a backdrop of self-destruction and unfulfilled potential.

Abstract

The poem paints a vivid picture of a once-majestic being, symbolized by wings and the ability to soar, now lying in a pool of blood and feathers. Despite the presence of a king and his entourage, there is no remedy for the creature's self-inflicted demise, a result of its own lust and destructive tendencies. The creature's potential to rise above its flaws is emphasized, suggesting a profound sense of loss and pity for what could have been. Accompanying imagery includes a gash under the creature's eye and the futility of the onlookers' efforts to reverse the damage.

Opinions

  • The author conveys a sense of despair and regret over the creature's downfall, highlighting the irreversible consequences of its actions.
  • The poem suggests that the creature's flaws, particularly its lust and self-destructive nature, are the cause of its tragic end.
  • There is an implied critique of the powerlessness of external support or authority (the king and his men) in the face of personal vice.
  • The repeated emphasis on the creature's potential to soar implies a lament for unrealized aspirations and the squandering of talent or opportunity.
  • The imagery of the crimson mound and the dripping gash serves to underscore the brutality and finality of the creature's fall from grace.

Smeared On The Floor

Photo by Joel Filipe on Unsplash

he reaches with his desperate broken arm towards the wings fallen off his back a mess of blood and feathers smeared on the floor

drips from the gash under his eye continue to paint destiny’s shrine a crimson mound

every horse and man under the king can’t remedy the disease of lust and self destruction

a pity

he could have done so much more

he could have soared

Poetry
Failure
Broken
Despair
Retrospection
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarBradley J Nordell
When All Is Said and Loved, I Give Myself To You

A poem of giving, stars, dreams, and moments without clocks.

3 min read
avatarKris Gage
How to *really* know you’re in love

Because most of “the signs” they tell you are garbage

4 min read
avatarCris Andrei
There Are Times You Can’t Go Back

And that’s just how it is

9 min read
avatarSeima Lubabah
The Final Round

The only mistake Luca had made was opening her horizon to the world. Unfortunately, Judy learned.

6 min read
avatarUnbecoming
He’s Cheating — Now What?

We all do it differently

4 min read
avatarConnie Song
Living in the Moment

Poetry

1 min read