Inner Vision (Poetry)

When I was young I stared around —
drank in the world I saw
gazed greedy on its gaudy skies
bedazzled — craved for more

Then everything was bold and bright
no end to what gleamed new
so fascinating to my sight
each palette sparkled true

But colour faded with the years
like paint bleached by the sun
those shades appearing deep and rich
lost pigment one by one

’til nothing seemed to catch my eye
now glazed — the focus dim
a blurred and dull, grown-shabby world
I turned and looked within

where scenes saved sharp by memory
shine stained-glass-window clear
as vibrant as the peacock’s fan
in contrast to what’s drear

Recalling youth’s quick firework’s fizz
and sunset’s bloodwarm blaze
nostalgia’s inner eye stays keen
while outward vision fades