Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Blind Leading the Blind (1568)

“It all started with an execution” –  Philip McCouat, “Bruegel’s The Blind Leading the Blind: Perception and Blindness in the 16th Century“, Journal of Art in Society

A parable 
no need for subtlety
Nothing we
did not choose to be
defiles us

no matter what
we perceive
no Earthly element
capable of clean
will wash away
malice or greed
Even if
Your hands were clean

“blasphemy!” say supercilities
“My paradigm agrees with me.”
“These civil hands, still unclean
Demand you abegnate your mutiny
to my perfect perfidy
Now recite these hymns after me
follow these unyielding harmonies!”
   
Then we all fall down
    1. 2. 3.

Purity
    is a hydra

still demanding demonstration
still commanding compliance
still requiring ritual

Pragmatism of empathy
    be damned