Monday, May 12, 2008

Brokedown Palace


Illusion of strength
London, ON, April 2008 [Click to enlarge]

It's been over a month since I brought this picture home, and only after all this time have I noticed what's missing from the scene. Go ahead, look closely. I'll wait.

On a day when China reels from a killer earthquake and Myanmar/Burma continues to suffer - mostly alone, thanks to its mentally challenged military leaders - scenes like this, flaws and all, seem to resonate a little more deeply than they usually do.

I wonder if this will ever get fixed, or if someone's decided that it's good enough in its quietly imperfect state. I wonder about all the other broken things in our world, and hope they'll get fixed someday soon, too.

Your turn: Flawed perfection. Please discuss.

5 comments:

kenju said...

It serves to remind us that nothing lasts forever in its perfect state. Everything changes and becomes new again (sooner or later).

Carletta said...

I wonder how many of us won't see a flaw until we read your comment and take a second look.
Maybe all too many times we become accepting of little imperfections and let them go until things start to crumble and it's harder to make them right.
I hope the broken things in the world get fixed too - sooner rather than later.
Have a wonderful day Carmi!

David Edward said...

flawed perfection, that would describe me.

just dropping by.

Anonymous said...

This picture reminds me of the buildings back home that have segments of decay. Most have a story to go along with the damage. I'm of the opinion that sometimes the damage needs to be open for all to see and remember. Perhaps that's why so many buildings in Europe are so fascinating.

Anonymous said...

Perfection itself is not attainable by humans, as we are not perfect. But that doesn't stop us from striving for perfection. Without that goal we would be wandering aimlessly, never improving or growing. When we see an article of beauty we often perceive perfection, and thus it is out of our reach. When there is a flaw in that beauty we somehow feel more connected to it and all is right with the world.