We are all pretenders:

We pretend we don’t understand,

we pretend we don’t see someone in need,

or that their needs are not so great.

Because it is so easy.

And we are so scared to use

our eyes for seeing and our ears for hearing.

We are like children, pretending to be sleeping

when, in reality, we’ve been reading under the covers

for hours.

Our eyes and ears must follow the example of the heart—

It must first be opened so that the senses can follow

and we are no longer pretending.

Then we are intelligent

Then we see with open eyes.

Then can we come out from under our blankets

and read freely in the light of day.