I am sometimes abruptly reminded of my aging
When I find the terrible urge to close my eyes
Against the rising disgust at what I can now see.
How could I look upon the world with recognition
Of exactly what this person believes
Or what that person gracelessly insinuates?
Take the insights away from me a little longer
Please, stave off the wisdom that is only a trap
To make us silent witnesses to the ugly in the world.
Oh how could I bear to notice all of the worst in
People unaware and too clumsy to disguise their cruelty
And expect myself to tread alongside all carefree?
Take me to a more naive time for me to gaze
Upon the world unflinching and notice the beauty
Before blemishes. What else is steady sight intended for
If not to behold, and love, and be moved?
I do not wish to close my eyes to the world, but if I must preserve
A lovely afterimage, I choose the unseeing eyes of a fool.
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