Perception
Sanaa -
February 3, 2018
Earlier PoemsPoetry

The air was thick with anticipation,
as they huddled close together, grateful
for borrowed breath from world.

The clouds swirl about like gauzy curtains,
as a series of wild thoughts swam into
their heads, as though awaiting unseen
winds and spirits.

In life we are drawn to everything
strange and surreal and at times care not
if theory seems far-fetched.

We can see the ugly words that hurt,
or the pain that lies underneath, often we
fall into this trap and confuse looking
with seeing.

And though black remains black, and
white would always be white, our eyes
only see what our mind chooses
to fathom.

 

 

Photo credits: Circus, Budapest, 19 May 1920

Posted on ‘Camera Flash’ @ Real Toads

and on ‘Poetry Pantry’ @ Poets United

66 Responses

  1. gillena says:
    February 3, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    What an intriguing gift is our perception. Thanks for a nice write. Happy Saturday Sanaa

    much love…

    Reply
  2. Anna :o] says:
    February 3, 2018 at 10:02 pm

    Yes, we often do look but don’t see, and how sad the world for it.
    How easy it is to see the world in black and white, when it is the grey areas that really matter. But ignorance is bliss – or is it?
    Anna :o]

    Reply
  3. Kerry says:
    February 4, 2018 at 12:27 am

    In life we are drawn to everything
    strange and surreal and at times care not
    if theory seems far-fetched.

    This is such an accurate observation, Sanaa.

    Reply
  4. Bjorn says:
    February 4, 2018 at 1:12 am

    We do tend to stare at things without meaning… maybe it’s an intention to make us look the other way.

    Reply
  5. Vivian Zems says:
    February 4, 2018 at 4:59 am

    “…our eyes only see what our mind chooses to fathom”. This is so true…. and so evident when you have an argument ( the epitome of not being on the same page). That’s why it’s good to wake up and smell the coffee.. 🙂 🙂

    Reply
  6. Ellecee says:
    February 4, 2018 at 5:19 am

    “our eyes only see what our mind chooses to fathom. ” So true, Sanaa, we must work at having the courage to see unwanted images or understand different concepts. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Old Egg says:
    February 4, 2018 at 5:40 am

    How often we are swayed by ther opinion or dictates of others. You have certainly got that right Sanaa, I think we should always put ourselves in others shoes to see things from their viewpoint. The picture is so warming and a reminder of that.

    Reply
  8. Carrie Van Horn says:
    February 4, 2018 at 6:45 am

    That last stanza is amazing Sanaa! This is a new favorite of yours for me!

    Reply
  9. Eric says:
    February 4, 2018 at 8:49 am

    Wow this is vast.

    Reply
  10. Sara says:
    February 4, 2018 at 9:14 am

    What a wise poem this is. Confusing looking with seeing is something we have all done, probably unaware of it.

    Reply
  11. Kim M. Russell says:
    February 4, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    I love the first stanza, Sanaa, which captures the image perfectly, and the third and final stanzas sum up the fascination with circuses so well.

    Reply
  12. Thotpurge says:
    February 4, 2018 at 7:38 pm

    confuse looking with seeing… so true Sanaa!

    Reply
  13. Manicddaily says:
    February 4, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    A wonderful close Sanaa – we certainly do see what we want or what we expect, or at least we are more likely to. Your poem stresses the importance of imagination as well as openness. Thanks. k.

    Reply
  14. Mary says:
    February 4, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Yes, our eyes may be selective in what they take in! You have created a vivid picture here really; and it seems sometime that black and white are relative.

    Reply
  15. Magical Mystical Teacher says:
    February 4, 2018 at 10:24 pm

    Your poem reminds me of supporters of he current U.S. president, who is clearly not capable of doing the job, but his supporters think he’s doing a fine job in every respect. What??? As your poem says:
    our eyes
    only see what our mind chooses
    to fathom.

    Reply
  16. Loredana says:
    February 4, 2018 at 10:34 pm

    So true, everything is colored by our perception, we see things in ways that others do not, open to interpretation. 😊

    Reply
  17. Paul Andrew Russell says:
    February 4, 2018 at 10:35 pm

    Unfortunately my rose coloured spectacles often leave me thinking some people and situations are better than they really are. A very perceptive piece of writing Sanaa. 🙂

    Reply
  18. gillena says:
    February 4, 2018 at 10:47 pm

    Have a happy Sunday Sanaa

    much love…

    Reply
  19. Donna@LivingFromHappiness says:
    February 4, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    It is all about our perception of what is happening…that is the key to happiness. So I prefer to see black and white as shades of gray!

    Reply
  20. Sherry Blue sky says:
    February 5, 2018 at 12:37 am

    I am struck by how we often confuse looking with seeing…….and how we see through our own filter and perspective, a fact i am noting especially right now.

    Reply
  21. Magaly Guerrero says:
    February 5, 2018 at 1:37 am

    Perception is a personal hunger, isn’t it? It will eat what it wants and refuse to taste what it can’t see.

    So much wisdom in this poem, and a perfect ending.

    Reply
  22. belle says:
    February 5, 2018 at 2:44 am

    “grateful for borrowed breath” … Beautiful.

    “In life we are drawn to everything
    strange and surreal” … What an outstanding line break.

    “And though black remains black … our eyes
    only see what our mind chooses
    to fathom.” … Excellent closing stanza.

    Reply
  23. Myrna says:
    February 5, 2018 at 3:30 am

    This poem is such a wise observation of how we perceive. Some say, “What we perceive is our reality.” Your poem says it in such a nicer, more profound way.

    Reply
  24. ZQ says:
    February 5, 2018 at 6:01 am

    Bravo!

    Reply
  25. Susie Clevenger says:
    February 5, 2018 at 6:09 am

    Sadly we too often see with another’s eyes or don’t see at all. Great writing!

    Reply
  26. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    February 5, 2018 at 6:51 am

    Ooh, you’re getting deep with this one! A most intriguing scene, and write.

    Reply
  27. ayala says:
    February 5, 2018 at 8:40 am

    Wow…a good piece!

    Reply
  28. Susan says:
    February 5, 2018 at 10:11 am

    You describe the couple as being open to seeing, anticipating, but not predetermining. I hope they are not caught in the trap/truth your poem ends with!

    Reply
  29. Wendy Bourke says:
    February 5, 2018 at 11:28 am

    As always, Sanaa – brilliant, insightful and beautifully rendered.

    Reply
  30. dsnake1 says:
    February 5, 2018 at 2:02 pm

    so much to fathom here. liked what you said about the difference between ‘looking’ and seeing’.
    wonderful piece of writing!

    Reply
  31. kaykuala h says:
    February 6, 2018 at 1:48 am

    fall into this trap and
    confuse looking with seeing

    So much wisdom in those able to differentiate and able to be ‘seeing’ and to appreciate more

    Hank

    Reply
  32. Helen says:
    February 6, 2018 at 1:57 am

    I enjoyed this … especially how each stanza stands on its own!!

    Reply

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