So many things look better from a foot or two away −
too close, and you can’t put a pretty spin on things, or say,
“I must have missed that!” when to miss it is the smartest thing.
Why not step back from your new car, and miss that little ding?
Don’t look too closely at your lobster − he’s got nasty eyes −
and thorough study of your gas bill clearly isn’t wise.
Enjoy the beach by not observing what the seagulls grab,
and always keep your eyes half-closed when you ride in a cab.
It’s your choice: do you want to see your garden’s hardy weeds?
It isn’t complicated: almost everybody needs
some distance from the truth. (That’s why I think that knee-high shelf,
way back, would be the best spot for that photo of myself.)