A direct compliment

It always, well not always,
but lately,
occurred to me as crass to give
a direct compliment.

But, people seem to like it, so,
what do I know?

I would not insult you
by saying,
my tastes are even too refined
to tell you you are beautiful.
Implying, thereby, I think
that your taste
is inferior to mine.

But I would think it privately,
and be ashamed.

So here I stand,
ashamed,
to tell you,
you are beautiful.