Blind Ambitions

© 2008 Colin Whyles

This year I learned I am in the early stages of Age-related Macular Degeneration.
This means I might begin to lose my sight in bits and pieces.

In the remainder of my sighted years
I want to see:
Beyond the end of my nose
The rage of young men curtailed
A reason for adopting Americana (there isn't one)
The whites of the eyes of the people who think I should pay more tax
Higher than the highest mountain
Deeper than the deepest sea
No more plagiarism
Sincerity in those who tell me how to think
Kindness restored as a virtue
A reason to not call a black man "black" if I am to be called "white"
Peace to be given a proper chance
Hypocrisy to only mean a hippopotamus called Chrissie
All Political posts to be voluntary positions
Doctors who look healthy
Men with hair on their heads (those who can)
Football shirts sequestered to football fields. On footballers.
People accepting unquestioningly fearlessly the smile of a stranger

As I lose parts of my sight
I want the darkness to fall on:
Bellies that should be kept private
Advertisements that uglify the streets
Americana (get it twice to be sure to be sure)
Tattoos
Metalwork conjoined with flesh
Celebrity (get them out of here)
Television
Road signs forming less of my daily reading matter
Comedians who aren't comedic
The Turner Prize
The legs of grown men wearing flood trousers.
Junk food.
Cackling witches in restaurants.
Muzak
Journalists who waste my time by telling me what little they have to say in no less than two thousand words

When I lose all of my sight
I want there to be no reason
To want to see:
Any of the above.