I’m consistently intrigued by the somewhat telepathic energies of intermingled human psyches – an often unmarked or unspoken phenomenon that is nevertheless wholly present and influential.

Crowds of strangers in particular present a conglomerate of social masks; unspoken welcomes or rebuffs; acts and actualities.

As a chronic dresser-upper willing to be the only one dancing, I typically stand out in a way that can either attract or repel.  I’ve adapted to this over the years by sub/consciously arranging my face in sort of a serene mask of pleasant openness.

This approach seems to me more civil than phony, but the difference is tricky to explain.

So I wrote a poem about it:

 

Scene Survey

In public places I scan for eyes to meet

facades at the minimum,

possibility a further delve.

Entering where many may engage a glance

requires a face be seen,

composed in advance

hoped intent.

All layered in shine and soul,

surfaces to unfold.

Pleasant and appealing

eyes let outward smoothly in

to reflect distanced smiles

closer at times.