Carl Johnson

“BEAUTY


I was charged with finding Beauty.
The order whispered as I slept.
A voice said it was my duty.
Then quietly it wept.


Filled with purpose, I set out.
I was honored with my quest.
In my mind there was no doubt
I was up to this great test.

In my garden I stopped first.
My roses were in bloom.
Their bright red glory burst
With others mixed on Nature’s loom.

Then a lady drew my gaze.
She was gliding o’er the grass.
Her features would gods amaze.
I sighed deep and let her pass.

A cathedral’s spire reached to the sky,
Man-made wonder to behold.
No sight more pleasing to the eye
Than such a work both grand and bold.

I came upon a mighty mountain,
Snowcap glistening against blue sky.
My eyes were drinking from beauty’s fountain.
Yet I knew I could do better with another try.

My journey lengthened.
I crossed the earth.
My will strengthened.
To place beauty’s birth.

Witness I was to the wonders
Of beauty’s many layers.
Fiery sunsets, tropic thunders,
Children at their prayers.

But each time I thought me near
To beauty’s absolute,
Something better would appear
Even closer to the root.

I wandered thus for many years.
Despaired to ever reach my goal.
I often found myself in tears.
I had searched from pole to pole.

Until one day on a dusty street
In a poor part of the world,
I found a woman begging at my feet,
Her fingers gnarled and curled.

I fished my pocket for a coin,
Thinking good luck could be bought.
Her eyes raised up to my eyes join.
And I saw the woman owned what I sought.

She let me pass into her soul.
Into the garden there.
Never in my life whole
Had I conceived a sight so fair.

I saw the Holy Face of God,
From whose smile all beauty is born.
All the steps that I had trod
Were redeemed on that sweet morn”
― Carl Johnson