The Courtesy of the Blind
The Courtesy of the Blind
after Wislawa Symborska
All light has faded from your world
Touch and love of shape now foreground
My hair, my hands, the Peter Rabbit pop-up book
This contemporary furniture exhibit
Is not open to the third eye of your fingertips
You consent to narration and a wheelchair
Leaning down, I speak to your faded hearing
I know what you need to know
Sketch the curve of this chair into your palm
How gorgeous! you cry out
Oh! Oh! when you learn the materials
The mix of woods, that iron frame juxtaposed!
You ask the designer and how it was constructed
I reach for anything I can Linda you say
Thank you, this is fabulous. No one could do this like you.
Of course Mom, you taught me how to see
8 thoughts on "The Courtesy of the Blind"
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“Courtesy” has so many nuances here!
Love – “third eye of your fingertips”
Beautiful closure
Yeah me too,
Love the landing.
So much.
And this is next level
“This contemporary furniture exhibit
Is not open to the third eye of your fingertips”
This contemporary furniture exhibit
Is not open to the third eye of your fingertips
Wow! And then you make the unseen “visible.” This is such a sensitive poem, and it shows us who you are and who your mom is. This is lovely.
Thank you so much for sharing this poem.
This poem is so intimate. You bring the reader so close to your mom. I’m so taken by you sketching the curve of the chair into her palm. Your mom is so appreciative and open. This poem is a blessing.
Love this.
What a moving poem. I love the care in it, and the sensitivity of the line “not open to the third eye of your fingertips”
This is so well done, from the details of the first stanza to the stunning close.
Love laces throughout between mother and daughter.
Adore: third eye of your fingertips
You draw us into a sacred moment.
Thank you.