Different Lenses

We wear different lenses, you and I,

Shaping our views of the world

Of each other

Of ourselves

*

Where you see monsters,

I see a rose-tinted landscape;

Where I see shadows dancing among the muck,

You see flowers blossoming in springtime

*

I have tried to wear your lenses

To see what you have seen

But all I see are murky shapes—

Blobs and light where clarity should be

*

Perhaps these lenses are crafted only for us

Perhaps they’ve been smudged and cracked beyond repair

And we just don’t notice anymore

Perhaps our sight is all in our mind

*

Your lenses are yours, my lenses are mine

Unique to each of us for whatever reason

And I won’t force you to try mine on

Anymore