This

in a lonely world.

each one

in his own

circle.

afraid to speak

   -mental-   

afraid to look

   -physical- 

afraid to hear

   -spiritual-  .

if I look

and our eyes meet.

I must

shift

after a couple of seconds

or I will intrude.

you will

defend your circle

and glare!

If I admire you

I must not tell you

with my eyes,

for then

you are startled,

offended,

and defensive

for you may see

that my heart

is open

for you.

My eyes

reveal my soul.

the more acquainted

with you

I am,

maybe, I can look

a couple

of seconds longer

(mental).

if I am tied to another,

any look

will be misinterpreted,

and my circle

is drawn  smaller

and yours is made stronger.

on the other hand,

if I do not close my circle,

will you not destroy my soul,

bury my ego..?

never mind,

I will draw my circle

and SHUT YOU OUT!

IF I speak

I will break into

your physical circle

that may have shot me

out

and in my reaching

back

you may

cut me off,...completely

injured my ego,..again

and

I'll strengthen

my defenses

and be more careful

next time.

You have

shut me from

your circle.

first I look

then,. I speak.

everybody looks,

some speak.

I have broken your circle.

(spiritual).

our eyes have

met...again.

if your reaction

is a smile,

I speak.

          I have

          by looking,

          broken a

          mental

          circle.

          if you

          GLARE!

          I

          close my

          circle, and

           shut you out

          again...

          and we are

          again

          lonely.

I sit

close to you,

yet

each

in another circle,

and you move away.

Speech breaks

the physical  circle,

and our eyes

meet once more.

the touch

is spiritual,

for a touch

conveys more

than a look.

more feeling

than a voice.

if it is gentle,

we understand each other,

and

I break all barriers.

if harsh,

I

drew my circle

and shut you out.

THIS IS A LONELY WORLD.

          IS THERE ONE

          WHO I CAN LOOK AT,

          STRANGER,

          AND BREAK THIS

          MENTAL CIRCLE?

          IS THERE ONE

          WHO I CAN

          SPEAK TO

             AND BREAK THIS

          PHYSICAL CIRCLE?

          IS THERE ONE

          WHO I CAN TOUCH

          AND BREAK THIS

          SPIRITUAL CIRCLE?

          CHILDLIKENESS

          EXCLUDES CIRCLES.

          MUST OUR CIRCLE

          BE UNBROKEN?

          "EXCEPT YE BECOME

          AS LITTLE CHILDREN

          YE SHOULD NOT SEE

          THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN."

7/28/72  Jt.