Keats was right. Beauty is a joy but it is also frail. It is in the eye of the beholder. Remembering that expression, not to say truth, made me look for the old twilight zone episode of the same name. Here it is again:
However, most of us recognise beauty when we see it.There is a universal feeling of pleasure when we are reading a beautiful poem, watching a good movie or just sharing a smile with young children.It is also the reason why visual arts are ever so popular. I found a presentation made by a National Geographic photographer on Ted talks. Enjoy his talk and his wonderful photos!
https://www.ted.com/playlists/30/natural_wonder
And back to poetry. Lord Byron, a romantic poet, a true admirer of nature, his country and of course, beautiful women. Here is one of his most famous poems.
She Walks in Beauty
By Lord Byron (George Gordon)
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!
In the following article from The Guardian you can read an opinion of a father of four beautiful daughters. Controversial? Sincere?
And after this serious reading, watch this light- hearted video on the famous beauty school drop out from Grease. The moral is clear”Beauty’s sweet, but beauty’s frail.
advanced students corner 