Understanding People

Only Hegel understood Hegel, 
According to Hegel, naturally. 
Heidegger is understood, 
Or so I am told.
Plato is understood by most, 
Mostly and most of the time. 
Oscar Wilde was so clever, 
He often could not 
Understand himself. 
I don’t think  I understand 
Any of them 
Or any of you, 
How could I, beyond the veil? 

I understand myself 
Only in snapshots 
On good days—
You know, the sunny 
Or rainy, or grimly clouded kind—
I don’t think 
It’s because I’m deep 
Or clever. 
It’s just that I refuse to
Soften these snippets 
Of Otherness within
To the point they simply seem like Self.
That quick dip into 
The consciousness commons, 
That quick peek into 
The face of the whispering passenger, 
They bleed marvel and mystery 
Into what is seen as the ultimate known 
In times of seething solipsism.

The veil of solipsism is torn 
From without and from within 
When either through search
Or serendipity we stumble upon
Sonder, soulmates and spirits
That seem kindred.

Understanding people 
Is saving up the swift and passing 
Moments when Self, 
Stranger, lover and friend
Feel each other’s distinct 
Shades mingle 
Into inchoate yet radiant brightness.
Understanding people 
Is collecting 
Snapshots of Self searching Self 
In the mist of distant Other 
And sometimes finding, feeling 
Something.

Tuur Verheyde