at girls who wear glasses

at girls who wear glasses

I doubted my eyes when the world started to blur

my quest to get glasses caused quite a stir

my mother questioned why the poor sight at such a young age

later I learned, sliding vision can catch us at any stage

chose the desk closest to the chalkboard in every class

yet I had trouble tackling all my tasks

my plastic frames thick large and round

it was embarrassing I could not be found

wearing them in public around my friends

a social life came to an end

I was fitted for hazel hued lenses

so I could use the height of all five senses

first week in college I wore no visual aids

walked the quad with eyesight clear as shade

I didn’t recognize someone who recognized me 

he asked why not wear your glasses it’s more important to see

a third of a century now has passed

I proudly wear my specs, an aging badge

there’s no shame in our bodies needing help

kept it hidden, how I felt

wandered the earth barely able to see 

awakening to who I am, who I am roaming free