It is customary...

It is customary to say
the leaves have fallen
for lost eyes see fallen leaves.
It is customary to say
the skies are dull
for lost eyes forget blue.
It is customary to say
the sun has set
[which it frequently does]
in the manner of a news alert
for lost eyes forget direction.
It is customary to say
life was but is no longer
for lost eyes lose track of time.
But no!
There is life and breathing
sunlight and blue
leaves in tender green
all this is true
it must be said
with a footnote
raising question
though clear
a one-word end-note:
"but".