“The Woman having a cataract removed?

Doctor, I’ve loved her, forty years I’ve loved—

her eyes. Notice how they sparkle, like

light on water? How they dance about:

beauty and dragonflies? Or, silent, how

they welcome you, invite you in, begin

a water dance with dragonflies of you,

offer safe warmth home?

You see how her beholding is no ques-

tions asked, no traps, no locks?—just grace for grace.

Another sees, perceives, beholds Truth

with a Mother’s love, like she does, One

who is love, who teaches you to, see-

ing, love, being, love, that cataracts,

downpours over steeps, in surgeon’s hands,

in your surgeon’s hands become light.”