In Sense - Edit2

[dukealien]

Edit 2 incorporates much advice from the much-appreciated critics.

In Sense


Edit 2;

Felt, unfocused but intense
pained hyposense from old stitched scars
of whittling knives,
haloed ghosts of sprains and bruises
carelessly earned:
each arthritic ache, rheumatic rue,
silver badge of aging on some godling’s plan
hatched to make heaven worth the dying for.

Heard imperfectly but all too well
enough of fragments, bites
of sound and virulence
sharp as tooth and catty claws:
words slur but perfect pitch
of arrogance, disdain, war spite
streams bright as regimental standards
raised in smoke and fight.

Seen well but badly
some sights should be masked:
vile bodies and those which attract,
not vile which, seen, distract
from duty not to see.

Seen blurred but well,
motion in green astigmatic curls,
prey, predator to chase or dodge
resolve, projected on a lumpy screen:
sense from smeared evidence.

Sense evanesces, boiled away,
dew fled in sunlight,
fallen dust becalmed
without gross things which feel
and others felt:
where is the sense in it
without an “it?”

Focused images, bright sounds replayed
merely mimic recognition,
sister of sense which braids
touch, hearing, sight with context -
understanding, often false,
remains the only truth within our power.