Beautiful

He saw her as beautiful
When she could not see it for herself
He looked into her heart
And soul
Traced her up and down
With his eyes
Like an object of art
Yet she did not feel poised on a pedestal
Simply cherished

He gently suggested
Ways she might change
Grow
Prune herself
So that her best assets
Might be revealed
And the chaff discarded
But the work of carving
Was left in her own hands
And what remained
Was a Glow


"You're beautiful ... as you feel."
-- Carole King