Immeasurable

author’s note:

The eyes are the window to your soul.
          -- William Shakespeare


IMMEASURABLE

A group of scientists has shown:
our bodies both smolder and glow.

However
they made clear:
their tests merely measured the effects
of chemical reactions occurring within the subjects.

So are we nothing more
than combustion machines?
I like to think I’m also spirit.

No, I can’t say for certain
that the cars we are have soul--
when I looked into your eyes
hoping they might actually be a window
what I found did little more
than confirm the findings
of those scientists:

you do indeed possess fire and light.

Electrodes could surely have detected
my physical response in that moment
however
what I felt was immeasurable.

So who can honestly say
I lack spirit?

finding Beauty: poetry book
sky rope poetry blog
dream steps blog
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© 2023, Michael R. Patton

When I Look Into My Eyes

author’s note:

The eyes don’t lie.


WHEN I LOOK INTO MY EYES

Sometimes
when human life seems so base
I will look into my eyes
hoping to witness an inner spirit
shining up from the dark depths.

But at first I’ll usually only see
a reflection of the sadness
that brought me to the mirror.

So then in desperation
I’ll work hard to penetrate
those two black pools

and in that way
go into a meditation
and if I stay long enough
I’ll achieve
the relative stillness
of a relative peace.

Then I can again believe
that I am more than I seem to be.

But here’s the real secret:
occasionally when I’m in that state
I’ll find in the darkness
a purple jewel covered
with countless pure facets--
each one a window revealing
a light embedded in the core.

Though I just get glimpses
I can see
that stone possesses
an untroubled patience
developed over eons.

Maybe you’ll say
I’m only seeing
what I wish to see
but I swear to you:
to see the best of myself
can be as unsettling
as seeing the worst.

What a responsibility!
No wonder we’re afraid
of our own deep beauty.
No wonder we pretend
to be so base.

Listening to Silence: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
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© 2022, Michael R. Patton