**within the eye of the beholder**

he is beauty when he shares himself
comforting warm and charming
of luscious kisses and magnanimity
a helpful hand a guiding light
open to love in his life

she is beast when she turns her claws
and shreds him like a shrew
offering him nothing but
hollow pain and fractured beams
as he petitions for release

he is the beast when he strikes with teeth
growling and snarling with impatience
cruel and bitter he'd so like to rape her
discontent in his bubble of darkness

she is beauty when she forgives
and kisses away every cruel ache
humming him songs pouring his wine
seeing the light through the dark

beyond the fable is music of heart
sowing the seeds of contentment
for only within the eye of the beholder
are the choices of beauty or beast