So often

I will ask

A classroom of students

What they see

When they

Look in a mirror

~

Really, just waking up

Breathing

Facing a new day

Knowing people will look at them

But first

Who do they notice

Standing in front of the glass

The eyes connect immediately

~

When does the mind

Kick in

To offer fearful

Notions

When is it

That our bodies

Become the focal

Point

When do we

Move beyond the eyes

And begin to contemplate

What others are already seeing

~

Miles away

They’re readying their

Judgments

After all,

What we see is what they get

Interesting

How we might twist words

To favor our own need

Our opportunity

To define

Who we are

Want to become

~

And then it begins

The walk through miles

Of eyes and quick, decisive

Glances

One simple corner of the eye

As you round a pillar

Might change an entire day’s

Course of action

That smile didn’t add up

To the telling outcome

In my mind

~

Instead our fears

Draw back the curtains

And anxiety steps

In while no longer do the eyes

Contain the soul.

Instead now we subject

Our selves

To another perception

We instead of internal

Safety zones

Allow our bodies exposure

To all of the elements

~

Harsh

Windswept hallways

Filled with rough edged

Swords

That sweep the mind

With quick slicing talons

Of hurtful commentary

Where is our hope

Where lies the beauty

And grace of our own

Identified human condition

~

Look inside my eyes

And you can tell who I am

Because it is there that defines

The beauty and grace of

Vulnerability

My passion is my need

To hope and love

And feel blessed with the

God-given ability

To love back without agenda

Simple, honest, truth