Empty Niche

Presumably, the only creatures
That could stare directly at the sun
For any considerable time

Without harm must already be blind.
But all the naturally blind creatures
Live where there is no sun to stare at—

Caves, deep water, tunnels underground.
It’s a bit of a wonder nothing
Has ever adapted to see sun

Directly, to stare into the light
Rather than at all its reflections.
Can life just not manage to evolve

That much range of vision—not only
From the new moon’s shadows to bright snow
But from flashing waves to sun itself?

Sea floors, polar nights, boiling hot springs—
Those life can colonize, but no life
Carves a niche from the sun in its eyes.