THE BLIND BOY by Colley Cibber
O say, what is that thing call'd Light which I must ne'er enjoy;
What are the blessings of the sight? O, tell your poor blind boy!
You talk of wondrous things you see, you say the sun shines bright;
I feel him warm but how can he, or make it day or night?
My day and night myself I make, whene'er I sleep, or play;
And could I ever keep awake with me 'twere always day.
With heavy sighs I often hear you mourn my hapless woe;
But sure with patience I can bear a loss I ne'er can know.
Then let not what I cannot have my cheer of mind destroy;
Whilst thus I sing, I am a king, although a poor blind boy.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteMy niece (who died last week) spent her 24 years of blindness proving to the rest of us it only added to experience - things she achieved in her short life rather puts many to shame... This poem is timely to me, Mimsie. Thank you. YAM xx
Yam, I am so sorry for your loss. Your niece must have been a wonderful young woman.
DeleteThis poem really spoke to me and made me realise I should never complain about not being able to get about much. I can still hear and see and have 2 legs and 2 arms. We take so much for granted. xx
Being content with what we have is something we could all remember isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI often remind myself, when feeling sorry for myself, that I have so much more than so many others and then I shut up. It's good to give oneself a telling off occasionally.
DeleteWhat they^ said.
ReplyDeleteIt makes a difference though, if one is blind from birth. To 'see' the world and experience everything in a totally different way.
If I were to lose my sight now, after all these years, I would have a hard time being so accepting of my fate. Not being able to read, or see my TV shows would make me very unhappy.
I guess for those that have had our sight from birth it is impossible to imagine what it must be like not to have it.
DeleteI would hate not to be able to hear music or the chiriping of birds or even the sound of the sea. I suppose one could learn braille or can one do that later in life. Not a pleasant thought at all
.. I's a beautiful poem Mimsie .... very thought provoking.... I know I would hate to lose my sight. I'm deaf but hearing aids help somewhat with that.. but nothing can help lost sight.
ReplyDeleteYou Stonehenge post was interesting..
Hugs..... Barb xxx
Thank Barbara and glad you enjoyed the poem. My hearing is not 100% (can't wear hearing aids unfortunately) but my eyesight is excellent (especially since having cataracts removed from both). I would find it very difficult not to be able to see flowers etc.
DeleteI am glad you found the Stonehenge post interesting. I am always trying to find something that others may enjoy learning about. xx