"Where my blindness would be a blessing" By Ben Goode 2019. 

It all happened so quickly.

One day it was all so clear. 
But no longer can I even shed a tear. 
And the next thing, it was taken away.
The explosion took my eyes that day.
Serving my country. Not too bright.
I received a medal in exchange for my sight.

I see nothing.
Perhaps I'm just blind in the starkness of reality?
Not expecting any charity or clarity.
Unseen and unseeing. 
My dog 'Bear' helps me cross a busy street.
 
A walk in an everlasting darkness.
Where daylight has no meaning to me.
A sun above which provides only warmth. 
And the unseen shadows walking beneath me.  
But I still think they follow a blind-man all the same. 

The mirror, may as well not exist.
But I know my reflection is there.
And I always wonder "Do they see me?" 
I can only feel where my eyes used to be.

I can hear what the public try to whisper.
"Look at him, the poor guy"
"Was he a soldier Mum?"
"Does he need help?"
"Look at that gorgeous dog!" 
"Does it hurt to be blind Dad?"

I can't help but smile. 
Simple curiosity. Quite amusing. 
But some are blinder than I am.
Never seeing the truth as I saw it.
And that I remember, in my nightmares.
The only place I see what I don't want to. 
Where my blindness would be a blessing.