Oh, who's the fairest of them all?  Sometimes we think we are.

But there's someone more beautiful than any movie star.

One face is like a flower that, survives a stormy gale -

exquisite until trampled on, near wide and well-worn trail.

One face is like a landscape that's, powdered- can't be drier,

as if the flames had licked it up right after forest fire.

One face is like a photograph - so simple, black and white,

with dog-eared corners broken off and faded from the light.

One face is like a masterpiece - so perfect, bright, awake -

no cracks or dusty framing, but counterfeit and fake.

One face is like a sunlit sky, At least it seems that way,

until it's covered up with clouds on dark and dreary day.

Another's like a sunset that, without a single cloud...

can't show its brilliant colors, nor draw a single crowd.

Still, I have yet to tell you of the face that is the best.

(though some say I'm more beautiful, much more than all the rest).

But sin continues aging us.  Our pride has pulled us down.

No matter all the make-up worn, it covers not, the frown.

Yet beauty God had seen somehow before I was forgiven.

He gave His very Son for me despite how I was livin'.

For God loves all creation.  Me, just as much as them -

and He knows I am beautiful - because He said I am.

In eye of the beholder, what did my Master see?

Christ died an awful, ugly death because He first loved me.

I thought I was the 'fairest'.  That's why He had to die.

His blood-stained face- so ugly yet, more beautiful than I.

©2014 louis gander