The Rose Colored Glasses
I somehow lost my glasses … they were such a special pair;
They had a lovely tint of rose - I wore them everywhere;
I searched and searched to no avail, as many weeks ensued,
While all the days that followed, seemed so gray and misconstrued.
The last time that I had them, was a Tuesday, I recall,
About a month ago, when life came halting to a crawl;
I must have set them down as I was watching my TV,
That morning … the eleventh of September, I believe.
Before that day, I used to see the world through colored glass;
The blush of rose would filter out the demons from my path;
When I looked through those spectacles … I had nothing to fear,
And found that when I lost them, my perspective grew unclear.
I phoned up my optometrist, and went in for a test,
He asked if I could read a chart … I said I'd do my best;
I called out many letters as I went across the row,
An F, an E, an A, an R - I read them to and fro.
The second line read D, then E, an A, a T, then H,
I called them out as I went through, but started losing faith;
The bottom line was hard to read, I really had to squint,
It spelled out WAR and TERROR in a very tiny print.
I started crying then and there … I didn't like this game ...
Without my rosy glasses, all I saw was fear and pain;
"I'll write you a prescription," said the doctor with a moan …
"Supplies are rather short these days, I fear you're not alone."
I followed his advice, and sure enough, the order came;
I left the box unopened, frightened I might go insane;
But now within his office, he removed them from their case,
A lighter shade I noticed, than the pair that I'd misplaced.
"You'll find that they are not as strong as what you had before.
I've tried, but I'm afraid that they don't make those anymore.
You're suffering from something that I used to find quite rare …
Astigmatism brought on by the state of world affairs."
"Your vision's been distorted, by the chaos you perceive …
The constant news bombarding optic centers - no reprieve.
The symptoms can be headaches, some fatigue, yet lack of sleep,
A blurring of the mind until reduced to tears, you weep."
"These glasses aren't a cure, but they will help you find your way,
Each time you place them on … give thanks for all you have, and pray.
Just look beyond the hype and fear … perspective is the key,
Identify the good in life, to set your spirit free."
He placed the glasses on my face, and pointed to the chart;
I closed my eyes and gave my thanks … then prayed with all my heart!
I called out every letter in the first line that I saw ...
An F, an A, an I, a T, an H … I read with awe.
Continuing, I saw an H, an O, a P, then E,
I felt my spirits rise, and I began to truly see …
The further that I read, the print was "clearer" - I was stunned!
The final line spelled vividly … that WE SHALL OVERCOME!