She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o’er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

George Gordon, Lord Byron. "She Walks in Beauty" from Hebrew Melodies. London: John Murray, 1832-33. Public Domain.

What is the ‘meaning’ of ‘Beauty’? What is it purpose? Surely, it is one of the most pointless of virtues?

For me, beauty is vivaciousness – it is life with a capital ‘L’ – Life.

Not the vain, vacuous, and vapid ‘beauty’ of fashion and media… no, the deep beauty of a full moon, the mysterious beauty of a crescent moon, the joy of freckles, the allure of green eyes and red hair and an Irish accent (am I suddenly shallow?) The flashing flame of a Firecrest, the tumbling leaf-like dance of a Goldcrest, the synchronised swimming of a group of Guillemots. The ducking and diving of the Cormorant and Shags in the bay. The way of a cat around my legs. The passion of a puppy. The giggle of a toddler. The joy of a shaft of sunlight through the mist.

Beauty is a healing force. The beauty of Nature restores my soul. The Ocean, ever moving yet delightfully ‘still’; the thrill of the Mountain-top – with rarefied air that purges the pollution of city, busy life.  The cold of frost that purifies. Frozen leaf-like patterns on glass that testify to the order and design natural in Nature. The gift of an unsolicited smile from a total stranger, who becomes intimate and welcome in that moment.

May ‘Beauty’ fill your senses this day, and may you feel enlivened and vivacious as you receive the proffered gift, extended from a Universe filled with abundance for those with eyes and hearts to see.

Now, share with us, what ‘beauty’ is and means for you?

It’s a beautiful day.

Lex

A Moodscope member