The lens that brings light to my eyes
dims and distorts most of it.

Yet my eyes are all I have
for seeking the few oases of truth
that melt into mirages.

Everywhere and Nowhere

I stand in the middle of
everywhere and nowhere,
with my feet rooted frozen
to the point where all paths meet.

My mind is in a whirl.
like a kite cut loose
being buffeted by gusts of upheaval,
going everywhere and nowhere
all at once.

The Limitations of My Senses

My eyes can see only so far;
they look so ahead
that they can't follow
the earth's curvature
to its very end.

My ears can hear only so much;
they listen so little
that they can't comprehend
the laughter of playful dolphins
and the cries of cut trees.

My hands can touch only phantom mirages;
they never turn towards
the gnarled roots of ancient forests
or the callused palms of a caring mother.

My nose can smell only fragrant privilege;
perfumes often mask
the stench of sweat and blood
that stops my world from falling,
like Atlas' mighty shoulders.

My tongue can twist only in some ways;
a muscle so atrophied
can't stretch
to include the voices
of the plundered and oppressed.

My mind can hold only so much wisdom;
the eyes of my eyes
the nose of my nose
and the ears of my ears
often lose their way
in the bewildering maze
of meaningless facts and figures.