Blind Rite Poem by Joe Fraccalvieri

It may not seem so by looking at me--
but I am blind
Though I can read the words
that are written upon this paper--
I am blind
And I can see beyond the trees…
Trace the distant mountains

I can even look past the darkness of night
where my eyes embrace the passage of light
and look back in time from stars that shine bright
Yet… I am blind

Each section of a grain of sand
is distinguished by my eye…
The reds and yellows and blues
in rainbows of heavenly light
cannot vanish, fade, or hide
from the scrutiny of my sight

And still-- I'm blind…
Because I cannot see the reason for hate--
the need to kill-- the purpose of war…
All this sin! ... Is it fate?
All this torture! ... What's it for?

And should, for this blindness,
there be a cure
will I witness the starving--
the homeless-- the poor…
Would you have me open my eyes
to things I deplore? ?

Then let my eyes remain shut
to the plight of mankind!
Why use my eyes yet lose my mind? !
Let me block out the light
from the crack of Hell's Door…

I've the right to stay blind…
Now-- Right now--
and FOREVERMORE!