The Blind Image

THE BLIND IMAGE Once a beggar was sitting at the edge of the thoroughfare And many put their soul’s guilt as coins in his bowl, As his dog lay nearby eying passersby like an owl, Wagging, whining, whimpering and barking for the fare. When he passed away, all passersby dropped coins and care And his kin dared to install his image with dog and a bigger bowl; They guarded it like dogs, warring, wining and dining out of the bowl. Soon, there was built a vault with a gazebo; they reigned without care; Tales were spun on the dog’s tail and myths meandered on the beggar; Some claimed it was he in Jericho called David’s son to get back sight; And motley crowds started bowing low, circling the beggar’s image, In frenzied piety; thus a modern deity was born out of a dog and beggar; Many, many stories appear on how to curry favor with the pauper’s sight, And many more tarry in faith day and night burying worries in his image.