he had no need to fill the air
with all his successes.
he didn't seem to need the attention
the rest of us are constantly trying
to collect.
he didn't have to decorate his
language with exaggerations, lies,
or drama.

he just was.
and he was simply fascinating.

there is something so refreshing
in meeting someone
whom by all rights
could impress the world,
but doesn't try to.

i told him these observations
and he quietly
pointed to the lilies in the vase...

"those flowers don't need to say a thing.
they don't have to force their beauty on you.
they don't need to convince.
they just are as they are,
and their true beautiful selves are
obvious without words."