Becoming Beauty

So how do we define beauty?
Perhaps we don't,
although it is something experienced.
What I see as beautiful, you don't,
so we both can learn.

Nor is beauty necessarily pleasing.
First response may be revulsion,
but, coming back,
can acknowledge commitment
and grace.

Beauty has the power of attraction.
We look, we listen,
in some cases may run hands over.
Experience of beauty is personal,
invites response,
hence, is only found in relation.

For some reason, I think of a mountain:
experience offered
that in itself is demanding.
There is always danger.
Not one part of the climb is straight.

Nonetheless, I'm aware of beauty,
can look back down
or across to the next valley over,
sense the thrill of horror
should thin yellow ropes slip or fail.

As I dangle there,
outside of familiar perspectives,
I'm alive to fear,
strongly focused in on my feelings
while my mind runs free,
and see as I've not seen
before;
so learn to love,
publicly and with all of my heart,
myself as a part of the whole,
only wishing
to make myself more so.