In Pursuit of Shönheit: A Faustian Bargain

There was once a woman

Her mind so keen

A prodigy of thought

A perfect Paragon

Frequently complimented

"You're really sharp"

"You're ingenious"

"A smart cookie"

It wasn't enough for her

She craved beauty

To catch the eye

She desired love

Prayed for it to the sky

The man she loved

Was handsome and kind

But never looked at her twice

She begged for his affection

He turned her down

Could never adore

Someone this uncomely

Heartbroken and lost

She longed to be

The fairest in his eyes

She sought a witch

Who promised her beauty

"You have to give up

something in return"

"I'll do whatever it takes"

Without a second thought

Agreed to trade her intellect

For Shönheit's lot

The spell was cast

Her wit and wisdom vanished

Like a dream

Replaced with good looks

A superficial beam

Her features refined

Her beauty adorned

She returned to the man

Heart full of delight

With newfound beauty

Love she did obtain

Happy with the attention

She got wherever she went

Pleased with praises

That fed her ego

"You’re the most beautiful woman I laid my eyes on"

"You look stunning"

"You’re breathtaking"

"You are absolutely gorgeous"

Behind the dazzling looks

Her once- vibrant mind

Now dull and grey

She could no longer think

No longer reason

She yearned for thoughts

That once had lit her path

The man she adored

Proved untrue and unworthy

Regrets like shadows

Haunted her every day

She mourned the brilliance

She easily gave away

For beauty with no brain

Is a cruel fate

She pleaded with the witch

"Please reverse the spell"

But the witch laughed and said

"What's done can't be undone"

Left with a soul so shallow and cold

And a mind so empty

Forever to hold

She learned a bitter lesson

That outward looks are vain

The real one is found within

Not in outward gain

For intelligence is a gift

Beyond compare

A treasure so precious

So rare