So much of what we do is scrutinized by others

Whether good, bad, indifferent - or smothered

Some of the things we attempt to do are kind

And this is seen as bad by those who are blind



Where the blindness comes from is beyond me

Jealousy, perhaps, of things which are free ... ?

On this very last day before the brave New Year

I have learnt another lesson on how not to fear



For things which so enthused with their breadth

Are now just a faded memory to those with depth

Whilst those who live in the cast of some shadow

Have discovered themselves as being so very shallow



- Tristram

6:55am 12/31/97