our timelines
by cathleen freedman & kaila cordova
You and I,
in the whole history of Time, of Being, of Existence!,
are here.
Not only in the same moment
but in the same dimension
and in the same place.
You could manage any era, I know,
and yet, we get to be here together now.
Come on, you can let a sense of awe wash over you.
Somehow our paths managed to cross,
and we kicked the dirt long enough,
so they wouldn’t diverge too soon.
How fortunate I am to make your acquaintance--
again and again and again.
Bless the lines!
Like this line
and that on your hand.
Bless all the lines that tie us together!
Even that one where we overlap finitely.
(Your timeline and mine, I mean.)
There is space you seize where I cease to be,
and vice versa.
We as a “we” are together so transiently.
So temporarily.
Oh.
We coexist so shortly.
You must forgive me if I linger in your presence
a little while longer…
Or hold your stare more tenaciously than most.
It is because I know
that someday
your timeline
and mine
will not
overlap.
The intent behind this piece is to revel in the realization that someone is here, right now, with you. Every life can be represented in a line. In fact, every life can be represented so many senses of the "line!" A line of poetry, a palm line, a timeline. From one point to the other on a timeline, a person lives and fills in the space in between. Our timelines are completely our own, but at various points, we get to overlap with others'. The moment is transient, along with the people in the moment. What a terrifying, terrific realization! This is a confessional poem, mustering up the courage to admit what one might think subconsciously in the presence of a treasured friend, family member, or pet. This is a thought you share in communion with yourself and those whose timelines graciously overlap with yours.
Cathleen Freedman (she/her) is a junior in the Honors Program, double-majoring in Film & Television and Political Science. She is an ambidextrous writer from Houston, Texas. Her writing has been performed off-Broadway and developed at the Kennedy Center and Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Kaila Cordova (she/her) is a NY-based artist. She was born and raised in the Bronx but currently lives in White Plains, NY. She specializes in drawing and painting, but she also dabbles in digital art and graphic design. Much of her art revolves around color relationships and patterns. However, recently, she has been experiencing a newfound interest in portraiture and using her art to comment on social issues, racism, mental illness, body positivity, and difficulties faced by herself and others as members of the LGBTQ+ community. The majority of her art is influenced by her emotions and the emotions of others. Her number one priority when creating is to make the viewer pause, think, and feel.