Prosopagnosia

But you cry, and I can't recognize you anymore.

But when we're walking

in a crowd full of people

and you stand by my side

I think I've lost you

in a crowd full

of people with the

same face

which seem to stare

at me from every angle.

But when we take 

a stroll together

and I turn to look 

at you in the eye

and I don't...

recognize you?

But when I look around

my house filled with

photos and mirrors

and faces and faces and faces

I don't see

a face

face

face

actually

I don't see

a single

f*****g thing.

Author's Note

How it feels living with face blindness, having lovers and family and photos and not being able to see them might be one of the worse things in the world.

Reviews

[Twilight]

This had the sense of confusion and frustration, which fits in with "face blindness". I can only ever remember, vaguely hearing anything about this condition. That tension seems to build, culminating with the protagonist swearing in frustration; in this piece. This doesn't actually rhyme, but that's not always needed. Indeed, it can sometimes handicap a writer, if she or he feels bound by the prescribed assumption; that every piece must rhyme. Although, I don't know any facts about face blindness, my reading of this; made me feel that the sufferers deserve sympathy from others. Thanks for sharing.

[maya_online]

I don't think its talked about enough or people assume that we don't care about looks or something, thank you for your review, Julian!

[Twilight]

When it's an unusual topic like that, I prefer to avoid pretending to seem that I understand it; unless I actually do. So, I hope that you receive some good reviews; with first-hand experience of this condition in particular. And, from people with relatives or friends of sufferers; who could probably relate to this poem much more closely.

[emmajoygreen]

How truly sad that you're so aware of that terrible problem. I hope that you are helped by your loved ones telling you time and time again that they love you, the whole you? Meanwhile, you're an open and courageous young woman - that matters.

[maya_online]

Awe, thank you for your review Emma!

[emmajoygreen]

Said what I felt, meant every word. (must zzzz now, is latein the UK) Byeee for now! :)

[maya_online]

lol night night, sleep well !

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

i learned about prosopagnosia in uni, psychology class. i wondered how such people are able to go about their daily lives. i did not think then about how emotionally difficulty it could be. the tag: '"But you cry, and I can't recognize you anymore," felt really deep. thank you for sharing this poem, it's given me a bit more to think about.
on the style, there is not much to say. you have found your voice and it flows very well. begining the poem with 'But...' feels right. it's as if you already know that other people don't know what you go through. it is riveting stuff.

[maya_online]

Ern, thank you !

With facial blindness it's almost sometimes like being in a room full of people with Shane Dawsons face, or recognizing a voice in a crowd of people you're not sure if you've met before.

I feel i've become more friendly, starting off poems as if they were leftover conversations, which I feel I work best with !

[Antifranticbabydoll]

This is really good. The emotion is raw and profound. Keep going, I can't wait to read more from you!

[maya_online]

Thank you ! I'm getting to reading Allure, I've just got so much work piled from school and all it's making my head spin, lmao, cant wait !

[Antifranticbabydoll]

No problem! I hope you enjoy it when you do read it.

[cain_notfound]

I remember we had a conversation about the fact that you have facial blindness, and it didn't even occur to me thatt you can't even see the faces of your lovers or family.

The confusion and anger in your piece, which is off put by the happy tone that you set of situations you could be in and strong, and when it comes to initiating feelings in your readers. you might be the best here.
All of your poems have something they revolve around, and this piece isn't exempt.

I read that people with facial blindness can't see their own faces, this must also cause that confusion you have in the last stanza, but as I'm sure many people have told you, you're gorgeous.

[maya_online]

Hi Sugarcane!!

For one, thank you, it's always confusing when I get compliments because its like...am I pretty?

You're my favorite cheerleader, thank you for the review!