blindfold me

a man on the bus.
a blue surgical mask
where one shouldn't be
this man was not a surgeon

.

sunken fabric that did not shift

blasted eye stymied behind

like a mask askew was concealed

the gaping ruin left beneath

.

something missing

a yawning hole

why do you hide

something not there

.

to shield our good eyes

to guard our good faces

to stay our poor pity

to save us our terror

.

spare the child's innocence

until it happens to her

then cover her face

so god only knows.

.

take off your blindfold

it's our blindness to wear

it's us who can't bear

the sight of the truth