Dialogue

[h/t Austin Kleon, post “Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees” here. Also inspired by quotation from AF: “My Higher Power can see everything in all directions, and I need that wisdom today.”]

Cyclops: Since you have a lot of eyes,
And I only have the one,
I need your wisdom.
I don’t know where I’m going.

All-Seeing: OK, I’m not busy. Happy to help.
But what if you let go of navigating altogether?
What if you simply trusted the stars to give you
The next GPS co-ordinant only when it’s time to
Take a turn? 

Cyclops: I wouldn’t get as much done.
But maybe less needs doing than I think.
Gone would be my cherished future agenda hegemony.
It would be fun to see where the stars take me. But I have so much 
Stuff, and I don’t know what to take on the journey. In fact, I 
Can hardly get around my own house because of the layers
Of stuff. Which is why I want to get out of here.

All-Seeing: What if you valued space more than not-space?
What if you paid for space in the form of re-homing
Everything that isn’t truly necessary—which might turn out to be
Everything?

Cyclops: I would lie on the carpet and rest. 
I would stand up next to my empty walls
Stretch out my arms. Hear my voice echo.
Though I don’t always know what to say. 
What should I say?

All-Seeing: What if you told only the truth?
If it isn’t true, it doesn’t come out of your mouth,
Not even a polite lie of omission?
Also, you’d have to tell the guy his fly is down.

Cyclops: I’d stop saying, OK, that’s fine with me.
I’d have to say, I don’t know.
I also don’t know about that.

I feel several ways at once, and 
It’s hard for me to even talk about it.

I don’t want to talk about it.

You’ve just made an assumption 
About a group of people you know
Nothing about.

I’m lonely. I’m hungry. I’m too tired 
To be here right now. I’m so angry that
Articulation is impossible. I can’t help you.

All-Seeing: Let’s hang out some more. 
Cyclops: I love you.

For the month of November, I write a poem a day to support the efforts of the Center for New Americans. Please support my efforts by contributing to this wonderful organization via my pledge page.