Not a Sin to See

I saw a face today—

the kind the dawn would pause to greet,

where light lingered on the curve of a smile

and shadows dared not dwell.

It was beauty,

not the kind tangled in whispers or desire,

but the sort that breathes in open air,

untouched by greed,

free of chains.

My heart did not hunger—

it simply stood still,

like a child seeing the ocean for the first time,

in awe,

in gratitude,

in reverence.

The world is quick to stain what is pure,

to call every gaze a trespass,

every glance a step toward sin.

But there is a seeing

that does not take,

a looking that leaves the rose unplucked,

its petals whole beneath the sun.

If the mind is a clear spring,

and the heart holds no thorns,

then beauty is not temptation—

it is a mirror

reflecting the work of the One

who shapes all faces,

all forms,

all wonders.

So I saw a beautiful face today—

and I prayed,

not for possession,

but for blessing,

that such light might keep shining

for the eyes of the good to behold