Refraction

A poem by Lily Selthofner, 2021.

people all around me

are they hurting, are they healing?

are they writing, are they reading?

are they feeling, seeing

the world through which they hurry?

an imperfectly manicured journey, scrolling vulnerability 

as complex opacity confuses passerby

eyes blinded by neon lights 

while hands

grasp towards what is transparent.

Do you belong here:

in the city, on the street?

or with ancient earthworms digging under your feet?

may we see each other in timeless hues, idle mysteries uncovered.