I look within, yet

My reflection bounces back

And they see nothing

Except perception,

That secretly rules the world

And conceals our truths

Dig up my being!

See my passions, cares, values

That live deep inside

I try to convey

The essence of who I am;

Perception obscures

All men are owners 

Of judgements and opinions

And, most are valid

Still they warp the truth

With their preconceived notions

Of who we all are

Please step back and see 

The way lenses sabotage

How we see others

I look within, but

I will cast my lens aside

To see within you

And within others

To understand and uplift

Because it’s vital

I can look within

But of higher importance

Is seeing beyond

We may look within

But we can appreciate 

When we look without