a way to do it that didn't sound sappy, babbly, or otherwise moronic

I think when you share your experience of beauty with people you necessarily open yourself up, make yourself vulnerable. How hard it is to expose to an unsympathetic listener that I find bearded, furry, fat old men to be beautiful. Or broken glass, or bits of trash, or a rotting fish carcass. I think you have to be prepared for (some) people to think you're sappy or moronic, or even sick, (some of the time,) and just not be too concerned with it.