Though I am known to God
as Hughlings, my friends call me
Hugh and leave it at that,
leaving me half a man.

Though I do not believe
in any god or have any Jesus,
I yet retain the genius
of a soul-at-large.

It is as if during the day
I can still see the stars
ablaze, circling round,
and truly see what isn’t

there. My friends say
it is a harmless madness
but look long into my eyes.
They suspect I am blind.