birthday poem - 15 November, 2004

we get bogged down in the small shit
can't see what's important
can't see what's real
we just can't see
so we wander in the darkness
not realizing we're lost
running into walls
and cursing our luck
until someone hits a switch
flooding us in light

but we've been in darkness so long
the light blinds and burns
until someone hits the switch
bringing the darkness back
the instant relief of pain

but our shortsightedness keeps us
out of the light,
never to know
what is real
what is important

but occasionally someone finds the door
and opens it
to be shocked by light again
most recoil
shut the door and return to the
darkness
save in their little world
but the brave
the person sick of the darkness
understand the pain and
walks through that door
waiting out the blindness
until sight comes for the first time
bringing joy
and the experience of a new reality

they open the door to tell others
but it is slammed shut again
for the pain of the light
is too much for the others to bear

sometimes that person forces their way
believing their experience too important
they tell everyone they run into
but few listen
content in their world
used to the darkness
afraid of the light
but when they find someone who listens
Oh the joy!
sharing everything with the open mind
the new person gains excitement
they build the courage to open the door
and pass through again
joining the master in the light

so this cycle continues
darkness to light
slowly through time
until there is no one left
in darkness
and all are in light
then the cycle beings anew
everyone is returned to darkness
to experience the joy
of first light