The world I don't see

Our eyes are built to scan left to right
It's harder to perceive up and down
It takes effort to see the stars at night
We have to tilt our necks to see the ground

More than that, I feel I am now quite tall
I often see ceilings and seldom my shoes
As a child I saw the world below it all
I saw between the legs of people in queues

I am male, and seldom walk streets at night
So, on my bike, the world seems quite delightful
I don't have to worry, I am rarely in fright
I try to be kind, and am not given reason to be spiteful

I live in the country of my birth, and feel at home
I am not questioning my place here each day
It is a delight to adventure, to go out and roam
Not being judged for behaving a certain way

I see the world a certain way, a privilege for sure
But there still exists the world I don't see
So I'll do my best to listen, to stoop and endure
Being aware of how the world is for those who aren't me.

Big Cats

I was a once a normal man.
Well, as normal as a human can be.
Like many, I was a cat fan.
It brought me joy to pet a kitty.

Alas my folly for fur!
My ego grew too fat
I needed to hear a PURRRR
I needed a bigger cat

At first, it was not too bad
I sought bigger cats of the house
I stroked many a chonky lad
Who would strike fear into a mouse

But then I grew too bold
I searched for lion and lynx
The alure was just too tempting
If possible I would find a sphinx

Sadly, you will be shocked to hear
That it was not a wise idea
I'm wrapped in bandage from toe to ear
And any former furry friend brings me fear

The lesson of this tragic tale of mine?
Don't dream big, always keep your ambition in line
Or, more likely, always check an expert opinion
And, most likely, don't hug cats without their permission 

Pic: A very cuddly looking Lynx. I want to stroke this Lynx. I have not learned my lesson.

Sidequest

This poem is another sidequest
Another thing on that list you keep adding to
To consume it is your test
So you can cross it off once you're through

The list is good! It gets you doing things!
Things different from the day to day
But, well, it's not just a list of things
Goals to complete and then go on your way

You need to slow down. Absorb. Engage. 
Does your quest make you sad? Fill you with rage?

Take your time. Let it expand and exclaim.
Give it the space it deserves in your brain. 

I'm not a fool. The list of quests is often long
And overly long quests are dispiriting
Just remember - giving up on a quest isn't wrong,
but don't assume the next quest wont be riveting

Face to Face

I've always struggle at delegation
And I think partly that's a good thing
Born from a human inclination
To deal with whatever fate will bring

It's only in-person that I ever really see
The consequences of actions and decisions
Whether a fault is really down to me
The harm and help of my ambition

It's nice to be removed, be one step away
Particularly for the tougher decisions in life
Let someone take that tough conversation today
Or slit your food's throat with a bloody knife

I think, we as a society, would be greater indeed
If we could see through all our actions face to face
If we didn't delegate beyond absolute need
And acted as teammates in the human race

***

Inspired by Face to Face by Daft Punk