Blinders On

written in spring 2014, a few months after leaving home and religion

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It starts so simply.
A bit of defense, armor
against the impossible
that threatens to overwhelm.

Beyond the path
past the cultivation
the wilds loom
snarls of
twisted growth
labyrinth to get
lost
in
swallowed up.

Snatches of
glimpses of
wildlife
carnivorous
eaten alive
spit back out
changed
unrecognizable.

So I slip on the blinders
the tiny pieces of fabric
narrow my vision
limit my scope
cut out all those things
whose sight will
crush me
obliterate me
I’m left with that
manageable
smaller swath.

Voluntary blinders
I follow the path
guided by
riders
confident riders
thankful for the
blinders
that keep me focused
because I hear the noise
hopping and swirling
beyond the scope
of the blinders
and the noise terrifies me
boisterous
muffled now
head down
I plod
the path
bounded
calm
straight ahead
uncomplicated
sure and certain
steady and same
I’m thankful for the
blinders
that keep me focused.

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