Closing my eyes

Marissa Pecorelli | Fall 2021

i think i blinded myself
when i was little i would stare at the sun
my eyes would burn
and my sister would yell
but i was stubborn

you’re hard to look at
the admonishments are gentler now
i know she’s right
and it hurts most of the time
still i can’t tear my eyes away

she tells me i should be seen
that i should look and be looked at
that i should bask in the feeling of your eyes
i don’t think you look at me

but every once in a while
when i’m about to turn away
i will catch a glimpse of you
and for a fleeting moment i know you’re looking
and then i'm a kid in a car
staring at the sun