Closed Eye View

[Tate Icasa]

Closed Eye View

When I was six years old
I closed my eyes on the carousel
And when I opened them again
Everything had changed
And I could not find my mother
And I was afraid, so I closed my eyes again

When I was ten years old
I closed my eyes on a Ferris Wheel
And when I opened them again
Everything had changed
And I could see the whole world for miles around
And I was overwhelmed, so I closed my eyes again

When I was sixteen years old
I closed my eyes while sitting beside my boyfriend
And when I opened them again
Everything had changed
And he was flirting with the waitress
And I was upset, so I closed my eyes again

When I was twenty-three years old
I closed my eyes while standing with my best friend
And when I opened them again
Everything had changed
And he wasn't my best friend, he was more
And I was happy, so I closed my eyes again

When I was sixty-six years old
I closed my eyes on a sunny day
And when I opened them again
Everything had changed
And I knew that I was dying
And I was ready, so I closed my eyes again