Blind Man

Blind Man

Blind man

“I see,” said the blind man to his deaf wife:
“You have been my eyes and I your ears,
for many nights in an otherwise dull life;
for sounds of evening, for the calling of years.

“I know,” said the old man to her hearing aid,
“I have been useless, cold- your large burden.
My kisses are shadows, and yet you stayed.
I doubt my eyes will give me a pardon-

for making you blind to love's desire.
You cared for me, you made me well,
My ears yours now, my heart for hire.
And on the subjects of hearts, mine did swell

to the size of weighted ocean floors,
to the point of water flooded houses.
Where I can apologize to our locked doors,
And to your face, your plain white blouses

that I cannot see, for I am blind,
though through love my eyes are clear
to know that you are fair, beautiful, kind,
My only one, my only dear.

And when I die I will take a fistful of
stars, and adorn your pale white neck.
If only I were a better man, my love,
a stronger man. Neither blind, nor wreck.

I'm sorry."