Trust’s been essential to our global rise,
and humans have a unique way to build trust:
we’ve left all other primates in the dust
because, alone, we have whites to our eyes.

With dark eyes, what they look at they disguise,
whether they see it with disgust or lust.
Why we look may leave other folks nonplussed,
but that they know what we’ve seen stops some lies.

We’ve sacrificed a natural secrecy
to raise our social aspects several grades.
Hiding your eyes now means active deceit.
So, those upholding laws and decency
can’t be allowed sunglasses; mirror shades,
especially, alienate and self-defeat.

*****

I guess this isn’t a good example of a sonnet. There’s no real turn, it’s just an essay beating on the same point over and over: the eyes being the windows of the soul (even to an agnostic), if you are trying to build trust and community you have to be able to see each other’s eyes. If you are just trying to dominate, then sure, go ahead, hide behind shades and mirrors and blinds and curtains… but you’re giving up one of the greatest innovations that let our species of ape achieve social complexity.

The poem was recently published in the weekly ‘Bewildering Stories‘.

As for the photo, it appears to be a selfie by a young Chinese police officer, more concerned with style and image than with making his community safer. But who knows what is important in his life and for his career.

“Cutie Police” by Beijing Patrol is licensed under CC BY 2.0.