avatarTom Byers

Summary

The poem "I Borrowed God’s Eyeballs" explores the transformative experience of seeing the world and oneself through a divine perspective.

Abstract

The narrative unfolds with the speaker engaging in mundane tasks alongside God, such as chopping wood and shearing sheep, culminating in a moment of rest. During this divine respite, the speaker seizes the opportunity to borrow God's eyes and perceive the hidden virtues in others: a beautiful heart beneath a man's bad breath, a glorious soul under a woman's gossip, and profound empathy masked by another's self-pity. The act of viewing oneself through these celestial lenses leads to self-forgiveness and a deeper understanding of human nature. The poem is inspired by conversations with Breanna Lowman and the works of Harley King, and it is crafted by Tom Byers, a writer for ILLUMINATION and Spiritual Tree on Medium.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that divine insight reveals the inherent goodness in individuals often judged by superficial traits.
  • There is an underlying message of the power of empathy and understanding in transforming one's perspective of others.
  • The poem conveys a sense of peace and acceptance that comes from viewing oneself with compassion and forgiveness.
  • The act of borrowing God's eyeballs serves as a metaphor for adopting a more empathetic and forgiving outlook on life.
  • The author implies that rest, akin to God's seventh hour of rest, is a sacred time for reflection and personal growth.

I Borrowed God’s Eyeballs

After Borrowing Harley King’s God

Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

God and I chopped firewood on a Wyoming ranch, we sheared the sheep in His Son’s flock, and on the seventh hour, He rested.

When God Snoozes on the La-Z-Boy, He sets His dentures and His eyeballs on the end table just like I do at my place.

I tiptoed over, picked up His eyes, and tried them on.

Wow!

I looked at creepy Sam Dunkin and saw a beautiful heart buried under his bad breath. I looked at nosy Charlotte Berth and saw a glorious soul hiding beneath the gossip. I looked at loser Larry Phillips and saw deep empathy concealed by self pity.

I looked in a mirror and forgave my suffering soul for every harm, every shortfall, and every ill intent.

This poem found inspiration in a conversation with Breanna Lowman and in a series of poems by Harley King.

For background about the author:

Spirituality
Poetry
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