An Essay On Windows

Closer now we inch to peek Our face pressed to the window pane Reach out? We won't, just gaze oblique A fool's attempt to ascertain A solid veil through which we see and yet through which we will not pass So crystal clear, it lets us be content to stay behind the glass So easy, yes, to trick the heart into a cozy reverie that outside things play mere bit-part as non-essential filigree adorning what we hold so dear tenacious notions in our eyes As our breath clouds the glass in fear we look yet we are none the wise So in a vain pursuit we wipe sfumato specters overlain that paint a hazy phenotype with breath's fine mist upon the pane And yet our likeness lingers still like ghostly shadow cast upon the world, bare truth it aims to kill and resurrect a changeling on that altar which we hide behind Born with fair beauty, charm and wit that changeling certitude will find of skeptic's musings, not a whit "And yet," we utter, self assured, "MY wit and breadth of mind have passed these bounds, oh yes, I'm surely cured of willful ignorance at last" ~~ So confident we are not blinkered ~~ Yet blind that we ourselves have tinkered ~~ With truths contrary to heart's caprice ~~ That we, arrived at OUR truth's brink, heard flying out in notes of gold Caught in heart's twisted web, accursed and turned to something base, behold! A shameful alchemy reversed To take that which is plain to see and hear with our own eyes and ears Scrap all with which we disagree Those truths that animate our fears Let go your mirrors and your smoke! Embrace what you'd sooner assail Though shattered glass does pierce and poke and open window greets the gale Tis less a shame to face our faults with dauntless curiosity than dance a self-admiring waltz round truths scattered in paucity.