i.

Decades ago
or decades from now
we are living in the future,
or the past.
It all depends on which way we are facing.

ii.

Every time we turn around
we face ourselves,
and turn again, afraid
to look.

iii.

And in the distance we see
the tree of heaven
or the roots of hell.
And we are afraid
again.

iv.

Through the window
we see all there is:
the open, the shut
the big, bright, beautiful,
dark, drab, dreary
nothing, everything.

v.

It’s all there,
through the open window.
And turning to the mirror, we see
the same.