just to be on the safer side,

can’t be too careful these days

those brooders with their dangling cigarettes 

wearing layers because its never above defrost up there

have a bit too much time on their hands, I’d say. 

but why can’t I close my eyes?

you must hold them open

tape them to your brow

you can’t let them close

but why?

they’re starting to sting

because apparently that changes everything

how so?

it’s about circles and strings 

and not knowing one from the other

so we should, apparently, treat them as one and the other

but circles are circles

and strings are strings

they couldn’t possibly be 

one and same thing 

right you are, circles can’t be strings

but you can’t know which is which 

until you feast your eyes, your own two-slits,

so you must assume, apparently, that they are one and same thing

my own two slits?

yes your own two-slits,

that are so often open, 

are the only thing

that discriminate circles from strings

but I don’t discriminate

but you must.

and you must keep your pair open

because if you close them for just a blink

and so does every pair around you 

then all the circles turn to strings

and strings into circles

they both coalesce into one and the same thing 

and it all falls apart 

all and nothing becomes real 

…

but can’t I treat myself to a blink

if at least one pair of eyes stay open?

…

well yes, I suppose

then couldn’t you promise me

that for a moment,

you won’t close your eyes 

and grant me a blink?

…

I could, 

but my eyes are starting to sting 

so like I said, 

don’t close your eyes

just to be on the safer side.