Perspectives
I can see the train on the tracks two blocks away,
but an eagle can see a rabbit two miles away.
I can turn my head to look west down the street to the sunset,
but an owl can turn its head to see 270° (plus it can see in the dark.)
I can roll my eyes at Bill's corny puns,
but mantis shrimp and chameleons can roll each eye independently.
I can see your face,
but not your heart.
I can see through tears,
but not through closed doors.
I can see the stars,
but not the future.
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2020
Can it really be the last Friday of National Poetry Month? Christie has the roundup AND the Progressive Poem at Wondering and Wandering.
And then this: Grant Snider is thinking about what we can and cannot see, too!
Enjoyed this, Mary Lee! Especially the bit about the critters who can roll each eye independently :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the surprises in each stanza, and then you end with a pensive tone . . . sigh. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI'm now imagining a mantis shrimp rolling each eye independently at Bill's puns. Hee.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to be grateful we can't see the future...
It's good to remember our limits! Thanks for this...
ReplyDeleteAnd humans have so long believed they are the top! I imagine your students might love this, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem that holds very interesting flipside perspective, Mary Lee. Your ending hit home. Right now many of us in NY cannot see beyond each day.
ReplyDeleteYea, that future seems scary, glad we have stars to see–they seem to have magic up there. I like the Grant Snider, "Uncertainty" comic too–yes–"Let's keep going," Thanks Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteIt is all about perspective I suppose, Mary Lee. Each example in your poem hits the right note, especially: "I can see through tears,but not through closed doors." Who knew about mantis shrimp and chameleon eyeballs?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful....it starts out so concrete and whimsical...and then the tears, closed door...future. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThis has such depth. Perspective is such an interesting thing.
ReplyDeleteYou have brought toegther so many perspectives. The last two stanzas are tough ones.
ReplyDeleteYou've crafted another powerful poem, Mary Lee. I agree with Leigh Anne that those last two stanzas are tough.
ReplyDeleteWhat powerful contrasts. Do you think I could learn to roll my eyes independently of each other if I practice? That sounds like a cool trick!
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