My sister and I used to have contests
To see who could look longest at the sun.
We would stand in the centre of the green field
At full noon of summer,
Rooted in the ground like two sunflowers,
And stare up at that great round
Flame-coloured source of our life;
And when we closed our eyes a dozen suns
Danced on our darkened eyeballs.
Now I never look at the sun at all,
Except maybe when it rises or sets
Or is reflected in water
Shattered by waves.
My eyes will not endure
That burning joy.