illusions

and now that I know,
what it feels like to look happy and fulfilled-
I no longer assume that others are in actuality.
instead, I see that they are fulfilled to their highest knowledge,
but like me, like you-
are probably not wholly actualized,
most likely still feeling a void.

instead - I wonder how everyone truly feels about their accolades,
where they are still feeling a void,
what vices help them feel like it’s all worth it?
and what keeps them invested in this current reality.

the illusions have dissolved in front of me,
even those of us who think we are not “checking the boxes” of life,
are still subscribed to niche milestones,
less obvious than a suburban home…

I see that cute guy, and I know he is not the answer,
I see a beautiful woman and I wonder if that man can even hold all that she is,
I see couples on their phones,
couples in love,
friends having fun
and I assume nothing
because I know that nothing is what it looks like,
nothing is what it seems.

and when we do assume,
that this person has it all figured out,
we are robbing them of their complexity,
diminishing their whole experience,
and misunderstanding life’s purpose altogether.