Can You Hear Me Now

Beauty awakens the soul to act.

Dante Alighieri

Several years ago I heard an interesting program on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Speaking of Faith.”  The host, Krista Tippett, and her guest were discussing myths and stories from ancient times.  One that really struck me had to do with desire between men and women.  The story went that a woman would come up to a man with a looking glass in her hand.  She would gaze at her reflection and say to him, “I am more comely than you.”  He would then take the mirror, look upon himself and say, “No, I am more comely than you.”  This would repeat over and over as desire between the two grew.  It was such a simple story but it struck me as quite profound.  As we see the worth within ourselves we also see the worth in others.  It is hard to truly love another if you cannot love yourself.  The story also spoke to me of the importance of equality in a loving relationship.  Balance is important and its absence will often lead to resentments or feelings of inadequacy.

Playful teasing creates sexual tension and romantic desire.  While not exactly a competition, it is very competitive in nature and with each new tease the bar is raised that much higher.  Each attack is met head-on with another attack slightly stronger and a little more personal.  At times it appears like two birds as they move through their courtship ritual.  The male struts around with his feathers thrust forward.  The female darts to and fro in her own version of the dance.  We humans are no different with our words, body language, and touch.

I’ve heard that a myth is a story that occurs over and over throughout time.  The important myths in our culture are those that we feel connected to.  Despite their often fantastic storyline, we see the underlying truth and relevance.  Ulysses and his sirens, Pygmalion and his sculpture, David and Goliath all speak to us about the joys, struggles, and challenges of our own lives.  

And so it is with the mirrors.  I am more comely than you.  I have value and I am worthy of your love.  Come love me and I will love you in return.

The poet
musician
the lover
the dreamer of splendor and light

Standing at the water’s edge
watching the rise and fall of ocean waves
crashing against buoyant, sonorous breasts and tanned pink skin
kissed by wind, sun, and starfish nipples
being beautiful just for you