Lenses

Through some lenses

it’s easier

to see people’s blindness

than their lights —

Those are the lenses

affixed to us like blinders

to make us go a way

we haven’t chosen,

and wouldn’t want —

the way in which

before the joy (we’re told)

must come the suffering —

Suffering to pay the price,

suffering for us or them,

suffering to earn the prize

or wrest it from another.

Try these lenses:

They’re designed

to magnify the lights —

The light behind each effort,

each ungraceful try,

each stumble,

The light of love that longs

for one straight chance

to be seen true,

the light of love that,

when you see it,

will come through.

©Wendy Mulhern

April 1, 2014