Lantern

[dara.cv]

The lantern lights
Only so far as I’d like to see.
With this partial illumination
I prefer only to
sense the shadows
or at times
to close my eyes all together
and suffer the blindness of darkness.
It is better to pass by
and not notice
the muted shades of envy within my friend,
the deep silhouetted intentions of my family,
or the obscure lust of my lover.
Sometimes I’d rather dim the light
until it can no longer cast itself out
and allow myself to be
enveloped by ignorance.