Eyes Shut
by Odin Roark

There is one darkness
visible to all.
and still another,
eyes shut darkness
revealing something
more than nocturnal escape.

Such a person may not sleep,
yet sees himself by the sound
of fluttering eyelids,
the peace, of need,
admitting his nervousness,
the subtle scratching of his pencil,
knowing there are those without writing instrument.

This is the rasping of escape,
the discontent
needing outlet,
the timeless percussion of discovery,
and the persistent crumbling of paper
not yet fit to share.

Such visionary truth is daunted
only by the murderous century being lived out.