Arguably the main poet who got a young HS Butch into poetry, and as such, literature, art and the humanities at large.

George Gordon Byron’s [Lord Byron] life and writing inspired me. Handsome, talented, dashing. Despite clubfoot, he ran off to join the Greek War for Independence; this would be the equivalent of running off to Ukraine to combat the Russians. To this day Greece reveres him as a national hero.

A true Romantic in every sense of the word and a reminder of what it truly means to live.

So, as it being Valentine’s weekend, here’s a cool remake of his poem “She Walks in Beauty”

I.
She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

II.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o’er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

III.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!