What is it
about human nature
that drives us
to behold beauty
and not simply
appreciate it,
but desire to take it
for ourselves?
If each person
plucked a star
from the sky,
the magnificence
of the cosmos
would be lost.
If every visitor
of the Eiffel Tower
left with wrought-iron
in their pocket,
the Pride of Paris
would be dismantled
in days.
In our lust
to take beauty
for ourselves,
we cannot help
but destroy
that which we find
beautiful.
We must learn
to appreciate
without having,
to admire
without coveting,
and to love
without desiring;
for what loveliness,
save One,
can survive
our insatiable
cravings?
