IS REALITY REAL?

Two Sips of Reality

Exploring perception and the beauty found in shared experiences

The day’s first light appears and paints us in our dreams, In bright, warm orange hues, the night’s dark veil dispels, As I gaze upon this dawn, I wonder, is it real? Do the colours I perceive, in your eyes, you also see?

Sitting side by side, the mountain silence greets us, with sounds of life around, a melody we share, As I listen to this piece, I wonder, is it real? Does the music in my heart, in your ears, you also hear?

The cold lingers around us in a farewell dance, Nose and hands warmed by the grace of the rising sun, As sun’s soft touch falls on me, I wonder, is it real? Does the warmth I deeply sense, in your face, you also feel?

Coffee I smell and taste, morning ritual made, The fragrance pirouettes, the flavour finds its space, As I sip under waking skies, I wonder, is it real? Are the taste and scent I sense, the same you appreciate?

Atop the mountain’s peak, in nature’s morning birth, We witness the same sunrise, you and I, my friend, Our senses build the experience in unique, beautiful ways, Unsure if yours aligns with mine, nor which one is really true.

Sitting side by side, sipping coffee from our cups, We share the mountain’s gift, two realities, one truth.

This poem explores the role that sensory input plays in perception and how it is personalized by our experiences and cognition.

Do I perceive the world the same way as you do? Is the colour I name blue the same as your blue? Is the scent of coffee that I perceive in the morning the same that you smell? And if they are not, how would we even know?

Gratitude to Indubala Kachhawa for the inspiring and intriguing October Paper Poetry prompt: Is Reality Real?