as I traced with fingertips

if my eyes were dark

and brooding

with lush, long lashes

encircling deep brown pools,

I would never wear mascara.


if my lips were tainted red

and so full

that they felt like exquisite soft pillows

when kissed,

I should never apply lipstick.


if my skin were so ivory fair,

and unblemished

that it almost glowed

as fresh fallen snow in the

February sun,

I would have no need for powder.


if my hair were thick

and raven black

with perfect shine

like hematite,

I should never reach for peroxide.


if your unassuming beauty,

not as common as my own,

leaves me to caress your face

in fondest admiration-

I should never tell you so.

Reviews

[SweetPeachesAlways]

OMG, how very beautifully and poetically you write! Such an obvious delight to read! Wow, I even love the title! Great job! So beautiful...I just want to hug it! hahaha Wow, thanks for sharing this with the world! It would have been such a shame if you had never joined Mattavelli's Florida group because I would never have had the chance to see this beautiful piece of art that you so casually put in here...you feature this, it is exquisite!

[Annalisa]

Wow... This was simple and yet beautiful and... amazing... I truly loved this and am stealing it for my favorites list. Amazing work.

[James K. Blaylock]

Loved this! Congrats on the win.

jkb

[Travis Lawrence]

Wow, love this one too, the first stanza sucked me in, especially. This is an excellent metaphor for eyes... "pools of brown" ... seriously, I wanted to swim in those eyes.

[Arthur Henn]

Wonderful poem expressing beauty that already there.
_____________________________________________________

You are beautiful from the inside out,
no need for makeup,
its already there
your soul flows with the scent
of womanhood
showing herself
like the first rose of spring

Art

[An owl on the moon]

Hauntingly beautiful words to express how we often feel so incomplete. Comparisons of beauty and value that suppress our joy and just being alive. Oh, that we could move beyond such pain and treasure each soul so much more each day! Your poem is so insightful!

[Joseph - Michael]

That was really something and I'm really speechless. But, all I can say that it was really impressive and worth reading, so all is good here...

[Forest Green]

Profundity...throughout. I am very nearly wordless right now...I really liked your poem.

Kind, beautifully realistic...what an ending...!

Forest