Pale blue around the brim, the foggy liquid filters into a teal green; tiny specks of yellow dust the concentric discs. Wide-set on either side, they look like almonds filled with murky lake water. Tired wrinkles crease the delicate skin beneath the lashes.
Squarely fixed below two full, slightly uneven brows, the eyes are the body’s expert storytellers. More truthful than the lips, they are the deciphering clue between a courtesy smile and a heartfelt grin; bitter wit and goodhearted banter; a hard day and just a long one. They express emotion in its purest form, before reflex filters have a chance to react.
Each pair takes in the world through a different set of lenses. Life is received in a series of images, translated into a singular perspective and then retransmitted through the blink of expression. A teacher sees the hazy-glaze over every eye in the classroom and understands that the message wasn’t received. A student notices the cross glare on the professor’s face and gathers that they differ in perspective when it comes to off-color humor.
With one look, the eyes confer respect or strip it away. They boldly accept responsibility and consequence, or meekly cower in the face of guilt. The eyes brighten in confidence and recoil with insecurity.
They are the narrators of each person’s reality.
