Veil

to see the world through

a plastic cover

to watch people

as though they are far away

when you can touch them

to see mouths turned up

and barely remember how your heart used to twitch

and that your mouth can turn up too

into a smile

I can’t feel.

to watch lights

morph into ghastly streaks

swimming in your eyes

as you drive home

and forget to go when the light turns green.

I can’t see.

to hear voices

but even straining your ears can’t make you discern

what exactly it is being said

to be at a party with a million people

and only hear the voices in your head.

It’s too loud.

to have your voice muffled

your breath suffocated

under the veil you hide beneath

so they don’t see you.

I can’t breathe.

you will stay under your cover

til your breath is forever suspended

between the world and the plastic

like that you will never know

feeling and seeing and quiet.

It hurts too much.