Aurelius

write please read and enjoy

What does beauty mean to you?

That is a challenging question

I cannot lie and deny that I appreciate the form and skin

but what it means, is more than that 

beyond the image, I find people are most beautiful within

Therein lies the hypocrisy of this notion

empathetic, altruistic, honest, and kind hearts

intentions without agendas, good will without roles and parts

I see your eyes and what you consider imperfections, 

though no body is without weathered complications

this is not what makes me call you beautiful, 

it would be ill of me to judge given my orientation

I think everyone can be if they are not, or already is

and I do not flirt with deception, tempting insinuations

my love is only capable of intimacy within arm's reach

for I have loved as hard and faithfully as madness could never teach

to fall from those arms, stained with blood, draining life to live and lift myself, I resent being reduced to a leech 

this is why I choose to see the quality that resides only with humans, there is complex love, redemption, free will to do good or bad and beauty within each

When I call you beautiful Aurelius, what it means to me

is not that your hair looks nice today, your eyes alight

or your face, though serious, delivers a measure of delight

my friend, as with anyone, I speak as truly as I can; I've thought on this

in my own mirror I see a figure fighting for his vain morality, a face only his mother would miss

my mind is a troubled aquifer, I draw from well meaning

while I send ripples through the ocean of my conscience careening

What does beauty mean? What can beauty mean?

Lovely, attractive, alluring, lurid, soft, inviting, a peace not felt since I lost home, someone serene

what I mean when I say one is beautiful, or handsome is a summary of the personality, to put their looks aside

not at the cost of the surface to subtract from rightful pride

as with others now and those from before, it is with you that time and time again I see

strength is not the only quality Aurelius stands for, you are a true beauty.