What makes beauty?
Does it only originate with shine and sparkle?
Could it be in the precious stories
Waiting in the dust to be found?
Is it the love within
That enchants us?

The antique shop owner greets us.
We are surrounded by numerous pieces of beauty
on the shelves. The peace within
The little shop is a cocoon. The sparkle
Of the jewelry counter draws the eye. The lost history found
Will hopefully enchant another generation with its stories.

But are all stories
Good to know? The owner asks us
What we are looking for and see what can be found.
The old doll, her beauty
Shines through the years of dust. Cleaned up she will sparkle
Once again. I wonder what had happened within

Her “sight”. The flowers within
Her hand droop with age. The stories
Of loving little girls and womens’ nostalgic smiles. Jewels sparkle
Around her, becoming distractions. Time passes us
As we shop. What beauty
and mystery is found

The variety of color found
in an antique shop is mind boggling. Within
The different sections beauty
Reigns supreme, but is hidden by dust. Stories
Of love, loss, friendships, and fights live in us
And our treasures. Love of outward sparkle,

Can often keep us from seeing the inner sparkle
and the real magnificence of life. What can be found
If you take the time to look will amaze. When Mom and I shop, it is all about us,
And finding the hidden splendor. Concealed rooms within
The back of the shop often hide the best stories,
And the most beauty.

Beauty is not only about sparkle,
it is also about the astonishing stories to be found within and around us.