Strangers

James Friedman

We’ve never met

And so long as the principles of reason maintain their course

There is no route through which we will coincide with each-other

Cells separate

Atoms grow close, but never touch

Memories are birthed only to burn

Their ashes lead you down a river that ends

You’ll never see the waterfall

Some people think that the waterfall is all that there is

I suppose we’re no strangers to that

Making due with falling water

The house makes it look so easy

But life is hard

Being is not easy

Those who believe in reincarnation say karma guides rebirth to a form that justly suits you

What are we, reader?

Oh humanity

The pleasures of popcorn and melodies

The disposition of intimacy

An awareness of sincerity

And the platitudes of grace

So too were we suited to separation

And life eternal as strangers

To suffer insomnia and lost love

Isolation more poignant

Than any word could ever portray

We are the only race that knows that death has a name

I wonder

What did we do to deserve that

Some religions say that all life is

Is a means to the end

Some people believe that there is no end

There are those who say that existence is God

A book we continue by writing eternity in relation to itself

Through the lens of a fragment of infinity

 

All stars burn

Maybe we’re not so different after all