Eyes are defined as the organs and means of sight in humans and animals, and can also communicate our feelings and opinions to our brain. Or simply put, we can recognise and transmit if we like something or not, for example a picture, piece of artistic work or colour scheme.
Obviously it can be more complicated than that, but our eyes allow us to look at things very closely in a measured way, or just a brief glance. The messages are still communicated in the same way, but a glance may need further confirmation, although often very accurate.
Just to clarify, there are other types of “eyes” as in needles, hooks, or a spot on a potato for example, but I will be sticking with eyes as in sight. This is particularly important to me as virtually all of my poems are based on my observations on life, the people in it, and how we deal with everyday challenges of our world and experiences.
Having explained about my observations it seems appropriate that I follow with a poem from my sixth and latest book “Poet Reveals All” entitled Brief Watching….
Brief Watching
I have my thoughts and beliefs
That are tied in with my views,
When I just stand around
And the passing world peruse,
With all its strange characters
Acting out on their stage
Of earth’s wonderful scenery
Like a continual turning page.
Some will show off for attention
Or personal reasons that they need,
For in their own mixed up head
It’s the only way to succeed.
But surely this will often have
Opposite responses that they intend.
So they’ll be dismissed as crazy
And daft actions must amend.
But mostly people are oblivious
To any watching eyes on them,
Despite the growing use of cameras
That can exonerate or condemn.
For we have got quite used to
The idea we are always seen,
In various activities of life
Either embarrassing or obscene.
Though of course I learnt my craft
In my long psychiatric career,
When placing myself in a corner
I observed those who came near.
So my everyday life now is similar
Or in some cases much the same,
For all passing people now
I consider are fair game.
Some have a crafty little scratch
When thinking they’re unobserved,
But others do some strange things
They really should have swerved.
But by far the most interesting
Are ordinary, everyday acts,
Like smoking cigarettes, and eating
That are noted for poetic facts.
With arguing, shouting and strange dress
Much better when unintended,
Like ill fitting clothes, and colour clashes
Never to be recommended.
So outlandish behaviour and language
That has no spoken English bearing,
Are often lost among the words
Mostly laced with swearing.
Now that is just some of my clues
But I’m not giving away too many,
As when considering strange acts
Most people deny having any.
Though I can certainly advise you,
Or perhaps just add to warn.
That you are part of this mad world
And have been, since being born.
Using our eyes to observe then, and with those observations we certainly form opinions and make judgements as earlier stated. So my poem, although with clues and pointers stating how I collect my topics and and expressions that encapsulate our world, shows I’m really not that much different from anyone else looking about. Well alright I am, but mainly only in as much as I write down and publish my poetic presentations and offerings of life, but all these thoughts and ideas still stem from our eyes!
A good poem to follow this is called “Eye Line Smile” and is from my second book “More Poetic Views of Life” and is also published nationally by Forward Poetry after reaching the finals of one of their competitions.
Eye Line Smile
It doesn’t take much to lift a heart
Or cause our head to swoon.
Just loving words or chaste kiss,
Can lift us round the moon.
Whether eyes are dark or light
They can twinkle and bewitch,
Causing a thrill right through you
As if someone clicked a switch.
Seeing can makes hearts flutter
With pulses racing with a touch.
There is no magic spell for this,
Just that we love so very much.
Contented sighs descend on us
Like some heaven sent cascade.
And nothing will keep us apart,
Even rivers, hill or barricade!
A plain face may cause sunrise
When it breaks into a smile,
And when that beam is loving
Joy will fast flow like the Nile!
Whether eyes are dark or light
They can twinkle and bewitch,
And if they sparkle just for you
Your whole life will enrich.
For in a world that’s tough at times
Where you strive hard for reward,
Being drawn to loving eyes
May bring ecstatic life accord!
Eyes giving out signals are demonstrated in that poem on love and attraction, perhaps the most personal signals of complicated emotions for us humans. Not the only eye communicated signs though!
So far the concentration has been on eyes registering information they have seen, but our eyes can also give away powerful insights of inner feelings. It is said that if you look closely at a persons eyes you can detect lies and deceit, hurt, sadness, warnings or maybe suppressed excitement. I totally agree with this and in many facets of my psychiatric career often looked for eyes and body language not matching a persons words! Who can forget back in schooldays a teacher’s unspoken warning glare too?
I think this next poem is quiet apt now, and from my 3rd book Reviews of Life in Verse comes “Inner Tears” describing feelings….
Inner Tears
I have heard that when you cry
Tears are words the heart can’t express,
But whatever the explanation
It is a sign of great distress.
Of course there are tears of joy
And some of laughter in a form,
But none can seem as heart-rending
As anguish riding out a storm.
Tears of grief or frustration perhaps
Are streaming down your face,
You should not be ashamed of this
As it really is no disgrace.
For those who cry are often caring
And so let their passions free,
Unlike blank faced stone hearts
That other people’s woe can’t see!
We can cry at the world’s sadness
Or what it has all done to us,
So some will weep out openly
Others cry with much less fuss.
But however you shed your tears
When pain’s too much to bear,
It just proves you have empathy
And that you do, really care.
So pucker up, let yourself go
Express emotions and your views,
For if you cannot manage this
You live a life that has no clues!
–
Some secrets there then of our emotions, and with clues from eyes that we have considered from attraction and sparkling, to fear, betrayal or deceit. However as my own eyes are twinkling with humour and love at this moment I’m going to finish with a “nice little poem” from my sixth and latest book, again as titled earlier, with the poem called “Little Look” to further demonstrate my thoughts for this article.
Little Look
That little look that lingers
Just a split second past the norm.
Could mean a lot or nothing,
Depending how heartbeats form.
For a cautious second look now
May give a reward and hope,
For if the fleeting glance is returned
How do you think you’ll cope?
For maybe it will turn your world,
Upside down and on it’s head.
From just that simple little look
Although no words are said.
So you only have split seconds
To make a move or hold your peace.
As momentous things can happen,
From heartbeats you can’t police
And so snowball out of control,
With sensations you feel unwind.
So beware of what may occur
When making up your mind.
Though with sage-like sayings
On faint heart and fair ladies won,
You may regret not acting out
And rue what wasn’t done!
Thus a split second little look
Catching you completely unaware.
May bring about love and wonder,
For which you can’t prepare.
–
A look that can again reveal many clues suggested there, and it was written after meeting a lovely Irish girl who had “little look” as one of her regular sayings that we used to laugh at when I teased her about it. Thus go boldly forth and enjoy your eyesight and all the views and signs it brings, and not forgetting of course that we are also transmitting ourselves to other people too. Simple isn’t it?
All six of my books :–
Poetic Views of Life
More Poetic Views of Life
Reviews of Life in Verse &
Life Scene in Verse
Life Presented In Verse,
And NOW my sixth book =
Poet Reveals All (in your world).
These all ensure my donation to the excellent charity I support, promote and donate to, that being Help for Heroes.
My first 3 books are only priced £4.99 each, with my 4th and 5th bigger books at £6.99. My new and sixth book, bigger still is £9.99. and all are for sale on Amazon, book stores or from me ………….. lw1800@hotmail.co.uk Or 07967 355236
I can now also write a “Personal Poem” for you, your family, any event or your business too…….
