Sun Shades Poem by Phillip Erb

One moment mister, pardon me if I’m
Right in your way, in your place, wasting time.
I cannot afford to pay you mind, and I am so tired,
It’s certainly possible I might go blind if I don’t set aside
One moment - in the least, no more than two - to rest my eyes.
So many days and nights they’ve been open wide,
Now they sting, itch and scratch in the burning light,
Dried out and filled with sand; it hurts and who could cry
Right now if I tried, if I’m running out of time
To put out the fire: hold still, quiet the lies
I'll put out tonight despite how tight
I squeeze, shut the lid against burning light
And the fight is yours tonight.