Being and Seeing

[Guest guest]

Sharing something I find inspirational. ~~Gloria

 

 

~~~~

I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken

blind

and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would

make

him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.

 

Now and then I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see. Recently

I

was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the

woods, and I asked her what she had observed. 'Nothing in particular,' she

replied. I

might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such responses, for

long ago

I became convinced that the seeing see little.

 

How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and

see

nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me

through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands

lovingly

about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In

spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud, the first

sign of

awakening Nature after her winter's sleep. I feel the delightful, velvety

texture of

a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle

of

Nature is revealed to me. Occasionally, if I am very fortunate, I place my hand

gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song. I am

delighted to have the cool waters of a brook rush through my open fingers. To me

a

lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most

luxurious

Persian rug. To me the pageant of seasons is a thrilling and unending drama, the

action of which streams through my finger tips.

 

 

My hands evoke sight and sound out of feeling,

Intershifting the senses endlessly,

Linking motion with sight, odor with sound.

They give color to the honeyed breeze,

The measure and passion of a symphony

To the beat and quiver of unseen wings.

In the secrets of earth and sun and air

My fingers are wise;

They snatch light out of darkness,

They thrill to harmonies breathed in silence.

 

~~~~ Helen Keller