Blind Guides

This elephant has many parts,

yet blind-born men, with feeling, fight;

for each from their experience

know beyond doubt that they are right.

‘Thick, like a tree branch; explains one

stood proud, beside the trunk, alone.

At other end the man turned tail,

declared this beast more rope-like, snake.

‘Here in my palm I hold a fan’

proclaimed the man who handled ear.

‘No, pillar’, he who grasped the leg;

beside, the oldest said ‘a wall’.

Distracted from their village view -

these codgers flailing, certain, dark -

till girl suggests they each try hear

each other, insight, learn again.

For five assured - but all were wrong,

content with what was partial sight,

as in the gloom, theologise -

discover truths in larger rooms.

Magnificent, though far the drop,

almighty fallen from conceit,

imagination of their hearts,

while meek and lowly risen up.

And pachyderm remembers well -

the earth is full of knowing folk:

they built a tower, those babblers sure,

until some heard a little kid.

This cow, eyes small, yet deep brown seas,

an object lesson, visual aid,

stood mourning for poor grace displayed,

and waited, timeless, for the dawn.