Colorless Tears
by Odin Roark

What is it to see
but never emerge from the dark?

Children marvel at color
movement
perception
not knowing
control mongers await them
famished gluttons who relish
adults obviating consciousness

Some risk pain
while too few discover
healing is not a poultice
to cover a wound
but an ear drum
an eyelid
to remedy contrived storms
blasts of empty oxygen
programmed to destroy
observation's eloquent gift
the always present
sense of truth
or not

Risk awaits

Perhaps muddied
but nevertheless
always at the ready
actuality's hardened muscles
ready to serve
to discern platitudes from profundity

How courageous
this willingness to risk
knowing to cower
is to embrace that safe place
ignorance's wanton indulgence
an anesthetized existence
for what?

Mere needle holes
purging colorless tears