Beauty Sat Upon the Bridge

Beauty sat upon the bridge

Eyeing the sun-drenched sweat

Of ugliness

Unaware of his own beauty

His charm

His humility

His charisma

But very aware of the cruelty

That ugliness manifested before him

Why my friend do you behave

In such a way?

What have these people done to you?

Don’t speak to me

You have beauty and I despise you for it

You have everything

I have nothing

I think you are wrong my friend

Don’t patronise me you arrogant god!

I'm not. I'm just thinking that our

Outward form is of no consequence

It is merely the outer shell

Outer shells crack

Whatever their substance and form.

But the heart, my friend, now there

Is another matter.

What are you talking about?

I'm just thinking of something

Said an age ago

He does not see as man sees

He does not look at the outward form

He looks at the heart within

And sees the inner beauty

Or maybe notes it absence.

The spectre crashed away in a temper

But around the corner and out of sight

Glanced back at Beauty

And indeed saw that the heart

Too was beautiful

And suddenly the ugliness fell from him

As his own heart changed in an instant

11 July 2023
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© Kenneth Thomas Webb 2023