Behind Their Eyes

They say the eyes are the window of the soul…

Our eyes can reveal hidden truths, which is why sometimes,

We refuse to look directly into another’s,

Because we feel naked and insecure.

We’ve been placed into a strange new world,

Where mouths and noses are covered,

Staying hidden and protected from an invisible sickness,

That brings on cold isolation.

For now, all we see are pairs of unfamiliar eyes in the places we go.

In this new society, we’ve become strangers

And potential threats, even to the people we know.

Passing by on the sidewalks or in businesses and stores,

Are our eyes vulnerable to displaying potential untold stories?

Will you recognize a pair of eyes, instead of a smile?

For now, our expressions are covered…

No longer, do our mouths display our feelings

or our lips form silent inside jokes.

What exactly, are others, hiding behind those masks?

Will we know that someone is smiling?

Or perhaps frowning?

The tears that fall, are they happy or sad?

Will we really be able to tell at all?

In this strange new world,

so much is buried under layers of cloth or paper,

Yet so many vulnerabilities, open for interpretation.

How long will it be, before we see smiles once again?

Or perhaps, will we learn to look others in the eyes,

Without becoming a vulnerable soul?