Do I know these bodies?
Staring into this rectangular abyss,
We float untethered.
World-tapestry reserves her words, gives soft smiles
Commons-cup’s laughter matches the background
Light, natural, empty, free.
Crooked-teeth always splinters the silence
Camera-off likes-talking narrow-face curly-hair square-glasses
I do not remember names—
Do I know these bodies?
Too quickly, I stick permanent labels
Quiet
Friendly
Privileged
Thoughtful
Annoying
Ones hard to scrub off once realization hits
Burning, red, raw skin
Do they know my body?
Abstract pigments on a screen
Spouting words
but words are stars in a vast, never-ending universe
Part but never whole.
I do not know these bodies.
I want to know these bodies;
Instead I shrink into my own rectangle.
Screen on but it feels black,
Like ink smudges on torn paper.
Will I know these bodies?
Never the same again.
