Because You Are Lovely Poem by Danny Speicher

I love you not because you are lovely
Though you're hair changes as though a sunset
Gold to crimson, bringing awe to my heart
And while in view brings me warmth one last time

I love you not because you are lovely
Though your eyes of deep bronze be an abyss
In which I could fall for a million years
And never once grow weary from the plunge

I love you not because you are lovely
Though your smile, like a precious masterpiece
Is painted so unique and beautiful
And when I see it, I too, have to smile

I love you not because you are lovely
Though your freckles mimic the deep night sky
With constellations of exquisite light
And I chart them as explorers once did

I love you not because you are lovely
Though your body, so perfectly molded
Reflect the landscape with hills and valleys
And I dream of traversing each new path

I love you not because you're lovely
Though apparent just how lovely you are
Any man be blind if they cannot see
The attraction all men have seen before

No, I love you, instead, for things unseen
And I fear too many have failed to try
The things that make you the woman you are
And give meaning to what the eyes can see

Such as your laugh, your voice, your very breath
Or like your emotions, deeply hidden
Ones that you don't let just anyone see
Your intelligence and wit and humor
The way your nature is dichotomous
Perfect comfort between taboo and class
And how I see the determination
And then in the next moment see your fears
The way you're so old fashioned in some ways
Like Gone with the Wind and romance novels
Yet rooted strongly in this current age
The way you fight hard for who you love most
The way you can visualize a dream
And set out toward it courageously
I love you because through all of the hurt
You still choose to love with all of your heart

But, oh, I wish you could see you through me
And see all the amazing things I see
And believe in you the way that I do
And love yourself deeply as I love you

((January 9th,2025))