Beauty

What is beauty? Something that is in the eye of the beholder, the ear of the listener or the touch of one who feels with his fingers or a sensation of taste – beauty is therefore a subjective reaction involving the senses and the mind. What appeals to one may not be the case for another, but undoubtedly for all who sense beauty, each one experiences pleasure. Conversely those who are confronted by ugliness are repulsed by it. There may never be a general agreement or consensus on what is beautiful, but everyone who knows of it has the common experience of pleasure.

If we are free to think or meditate we usually prefer to ponder beautiful things; we may bring to mind a musical melody, a memory of a glorious sunset or a sensuous intimate moment or even a rapturous episode of closeness with God the Creator.

For those intrigued with boats there is a never-ending fascination with their beauty. The jaunty, functional appearance of a Plymouth Tosher, or the stately elegance of square-rigger or the gliding symmetry of a high-tech racing trimaran can be equally beautiful to the mind.

I was drawn to this topic of beauty by my natural reaction upon seeing a photo of a fourteen foot sailing skiff of the Melonseed type. http://www.smallsailboats.co.uk/dinghy/dinghy_files/melonseed.htm What makes her so appealing and so attractive to me? She calls out with her simplicity of function embodied by her minimal character. Her curvaceous lines speak beauty, far more than the statue of Venus de Milo in the Louvre. To me there’s not another dinghy so beautiful. Every time I see her she brings pleasure and desire. How beautiful she must be to sail!