High Praise

It's high praise to say that someone is "genuine--the real thing." So idiotically I use the image of jewelry when I think of character: "Pure gold--14 karat---rings  true---a diamond of the first water---a pearl."  The damn qualities of beauty and rarity make gems precious within this old bod--, and by using the same fuckin' language to describe people, I must imply that real personal worth is equally beautiful, and equally rare.       Yet, it's within most folk's grasp. Most agree on the valuable character traits: honesty, loyalty, openness, courage, humor, and the capactiy for love. I have never met anyone who doesn't have them, and everyone has them, and everyone can fuckin' have them. Imitations won't do. I am soooo very tired to worry about whether someone else's qualities are genuine. I damn well know what I admire and I have PLENTY to do polishing my own....