“The World Between Us”

I do not see things the way a normal person does. Sure, I see colors, objects, words. But I see things deeper than just what they display on the surface.

I see the caterpillar inching along on the worn rail of the back porch. The spots going down its back are hardly perceptible, yet still I see them moving rhythmically with the ripples in the caterpillar’s skin. Even its little suction cup feet can bee seen at my close perspective. It doesn’t seem to know it has an audience, as it attempts to make its way to the other end of the rail without interruption.

Other people can see all that, too. That is, if they took the time to notice it. How many people in the world would truthfully be willing to take the time out of their day, to put everything to a stop, and notice such a small thing?

Another question I must ask, if I may be so bold. When looking at such a caterpillar, inching its way along down the rail with hardly a thought to what it is doing, what do you see? Do you see the caterpillar as he is? Or do you see what he is to become in just short period of time? Is he a caterpillar, or a radiant butterfly?

Would you take the time to envision his wondrous wings if I asked you to? What would he look like? If I asked, would you answer?

Perhaps not with such a small thing.

What if I asked you to look at a small tree, not yet old enough to flower. I would even look with you, if you wanted. I would tell you what I see.

I would see its colorful buds, that would eventually sprout into flowers. Which would in turn, bear its fruit. The bearings of its years of hard work. I would see the glowing green leaves on every branch sparkling in the morning dew.

Then I would see what would eventually come to pass as the season comes to a close.

Would you see the same thing as i? Or can you still not see past what s presented to you? Tell me what you see when you look at it, I promise to love you forever.

Now I am going to ask you to come with me. Look over yonder, at the girl behind the counter of the pizza place. The one with the long brown hair pulled back in the black clip. She has flour brushed on her face, and her glasses are slightly askew. What do you see when you look at her? Is she the cashier, or is she something else? What is she thinking about?

Is she truly where she stands, or is se somewhere else, lost within her own mind?

There is a faint smile upon her face. It is barely there, a Mona Lisa smile. Who put it there, do you wonder?

Would you take the time to wonder about her? Would you wonder what she does when she leaves that place? Would you give a thought to her hopes or dreams, be they real or superficial?

Do you want to take the time to think about these things? To wonder what the outcome of things may be? To wonder how others perceive reality?

Every day that passes, questions and images come to me. Unanswered questions, unlooked for images. Do I see things the way I do for a reason? Do you see things this way too? Or is it just me?

Sometimes I crave a better understanding of things. Sometimes I truly wish to know what would happen in the near, or possibly distant future.

It feels as though I have a better understanding of the world around me, and others do not. I do not know why this is. It is unexplainable in its reality. However, noticing, and wondering, about the little things in life, can really change a person around.

ALW

12/16/04