The Real Beautiful

One day in the park,

many years back,

I met a stranger —

a middle-aged woman.

It was just after Easter.

The lawn and the lake

were littered with plastic eggs

and other human trash.

This woman was using

a twig and a tote

to pick up the pollutants.

I was impressed,

and we exchanged smiles.

She told me,

"If it's not picked up,

the waterfowls might

mistake for food and choke.

It's eyesore too."

She wasn't getting paid —

but out of sheer love

for the place,

she was doing

this voluntary cleaning.

Dear readers,

when you do such work —

you appear beautiful.

Who say that makeup,

cosmetics, and plump lips

make you appear attractive,

are misleading you.

Decide which kind of beauty

you want to radiate!