Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder Poem by Annie Cordelia Adams

I swept my hair to the side
and looked at you in your eyes
the grey foam sea just behind
the black and depth words you sigh

i wrapped my hair around my shoulder
heart as empty, getting colder
wishing i would not grow older
beauty in the eye of the beholder

in your eyes i saw my reflection
knowing i had your affection
without a thought, i had not
reason to believe i had imperfection

i cannot clasp my fists tight enough
close my eyes shut enough
whisper softly enough
kiss you light enough

i cannot cry hard enough
speak weakly enough
render your breath warm enough
delicately love you

i wrapped my collar against my neck
and looked up at Big Ben
the morning was about to break
when i turned from you: a great mistake

i put my hands in my pockets
i had slid them through an electric socket
i could hear the very Tower Clock tick
with no reason to believe i had imperfection

i wrapped my hair around my shoulder
heart as empty, getting colder
wishing i would not grow older
beauty in the eye of the beholder

without a thought, i had not
reason to believe i had imperfection