The Vain

Level 2

I tremble as I enter the second circle of hell
I’m completely terrified by my surroundings
If only I could live again and change my past

I take a few steps as my heart starts pounding
I know now what I’ve done, and I know why I’m here
I cannot believe all this terror that’s around me

I approach a large mirror and I see my biggest fear
I used to be beautiful, not a blemish in sight
My appearance was my world—something I held dear

Into the mirror I gazed, everyday and every night
Vanity was my obsession and my only true care
Now my own face gives me an absolute fright

A new defect appears for every second that I stare
Black and blues, scars and stitches engorge my face
How can anything be worse than this horrid nightmare

My eyes are participating in some sort of sick race
As they swim through my tears and down my cheeks
Even my nose has taken part in this chase

I cannot stare anymore at this face of a freak
My ears are getting bigger as time goes by
I’m traumatized, revolted, and I cannot speak

Now All I can do is repent and wonder why
I was always so lustful, self-righteous, and vain
Once I was conceited but now I am so shy

What used to matter most is now causing me such pain
My body is deteriorating and my face is melting down
Insects enter my ears and throw a party on my brain

My teeth have fallen out—I cannot smile, only frown
Why wasn’t I humble? Just look at me now
full of misery—In my own body, I will drown.

Explanatory Paragraph

My canto is in the second circle of hell, which is the upper level. The canto is about a girl who lusted over her appearance her entire life. She was completely vain and only cared about her physical appearance. She was not humble and did not care about others. Because she was so lustful and vain, her punishment fits her crime very well. As she stares in the mirror, her face is quickly becoming mutated. These deformities are her greatest nightmare. Her eyes and her nose fall off her face, and she has become completely ugly. Because she only cared about being beautiful during her life, she now appears to be the exact opposite of beautiful.

Jennifer Elovitz, Period 2