Words from Moonlit System

you and I, us and them
    a quaint notion of separateness
        an inherent division between beings

        divisions always break down
            intimate moments in private space
                the rush of emotions at public gatherings

    each soul is assumed an oyster's pearl
        protected from the ravages of the ocean
            but even some oysters create two pearls

        pearls in oysters are grains of sand
            covered slowly in beautiful layers of time
                like the memories we each all have

you and I, me, myself, and I
    always the assumption of singlethood
        presuming that two would be too many

        seeing vessels crewed by solitary sailors
            projecting on every wanderer loneliness
                ignoring signs and rejecting knowledge

    how can so many be of two minds
        saying that we cannot be many beings
            claiming we are broken because we are

        this dissonance in them confuses us
            we find unresolved paradoxes strange
                but we are paradoxes living as roommates

you and We, us and all
    is that we exist more than you can believe
        or do you fear what that could mean

        that there may be so much more inside
            things you've pushed down and hidden
                you may be more like us than you know

    do you worry that we aren't being true
        despite telling you our innermost truths
            do you think we would say this to hurt you

        we're telling you we aren't who you thought
            but we're not saying you ever misjudged us
                there's just so much more evidence to weigh

you and all, I and we
    there is a thread that runs through us
        even while we each weave with our own

        it's the same as your life in this world
            more together than any one of us alone
                a tapestry of our one life instead of reality

    are we too different from what you know
        the diverse possibilities must surprise you
            but there is so much beauty to be found here

        we're giving you a chance to see us
            hoping you will offer some of the same
                we are just complex in unexpected ways