By Jessie Chuks
While your eyeballs are fixated on mine,
In a stare not out of affection,
But boring deep into my weary soul,
Mine dashed back and forth—East
to west—looking to avoid yours.
Hiding, not out of shame or guilt,
But from a place of total disconnection
Disconnection from love and affection
From care, understanding and friendship.
Yet deep down you still stared
Seeking for what is not hidden.
Like an archeologist digs, you dug
To unravel a mystery, layer upon layer.
You dug, while I dashed back and forth—East
to west—to avoid yours, till you let go
Nothing hidden, nothing unraveled,
Just a difference in societal norms
yours to stare, mine not to
For when we stare deep, it is to connect the one we love.
For the eye makes a connection to the soul
Both are well, and welcomed, at least in my world.
But I wish your stares came with care and with love
Devoid of judgment, meanness, unkindness
So when next we meet at the park, or elsewhere
I hope we look at each other with understanding
I truly hope we stare with the care that brings
Humanity and the connection and redemption it deserves.
For through the eyes, the hearts connect
Through the eyes, we see the soul
And access the love that lays beneath.
