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Beauty in the eye of the beholder

I'm glad we are not beautiful -

Not that we are ugly

But I'm glad

That nobody takes a second glance

As we pass, hand in hand, towards the shops;

That nobody says beneath their breath

What does she see in him, or he in her?

Neither of us has to think too hard

About what we will wear when we go out

Or worry that we'll have to run

The critic's gauntlet

Just to get some cash from the machine.

How sad to know that you

Are only recognised for your good looks

And as they fade so will your fame,

Or what remains of it,

While we, the plain ones, gently slip the years

Unworried for ourselves - or by our peers.

Brian Hick December 2011

©copyright Sally Hick 21.12.23