Beauty Deep
by Jason Tomlinson

My strength is beautiful it is nothing to fear
it is a gift and and those who are near
recognize it as an extension of my soul
and their acceptance yields stability and control
for there are those who stand afar off
shaming me for for my beauty they choose to scoff
and this leads to doubt and disbelief
I am reckless in their presence and I tread the path of grief
my ability to recognize beauty is conditional by the company I keep
leaning into truth and power I cling to beauty deep