Divergence

What is divergence? For me, it is a different way of perceiving the world. It is like wearing tinted lenses and wondering why everyone else sees a different color than you. Sometimes simple moments become complicated, and sometimes the divergent mind connects different viewpoints in unique and often fascinating ways.

Divergence is intended to bring the reader into the divergent mind, to let you experience, in real time, the way divergence processes specific moments. To feel the reality from the perspective of a divergent mind.

Hello

A figure inside green parentheses facing another figure, a small gold mark between them

nothing

I heard

(did you hear)

I heard

hello

(nothing)

(try)

I did

(yes)

I heard

(yes)

(ok) it is

ok to say,

now (ok)

“Hello. It is

nice to meet you,

as well.”

Halloween

A figure in a small vampire cape inside tight green parentheses, pairs of eyes watching from all around him

we dress up

paint our face

looking like

a blood vampire

it is good

it’s important

to have fun

during fun time

(this is fun)

others depend

on others

to have fun,

it is good

to help others

have fun

(this is fun)

they’re looking at me

(is this fun)

do vampire things

(is this fun)

they are still looking

(go back to your desk)

(look at your screen)

all valedictions

with sincerity

it was good

(it was good)

tired car seat

holds vampire

seeing my face

beneath paint

still thinking

how to dress up

for next year.

Lunch

A row of figures walking; one, inside green parentheses, in the middle, with dashed outlines of him behind and in front

walk behind, no

walk in front

slow down,

stand there

here, here is good

I like this shape

look left, smile

say something

it is nice out

this doesn’t hurt.

walk behind

too slow

move to front

now middle, yes

I like this shape

smile, talk, done

walk! smile!

don’t smile.

slow down.

it hurts.

count things

step over curbs

we’re back.

open the door and

everyone smiles.

(tomorrow)

“We are walking

to lunch again today,

would you like to come?”

“no thanks,

I brought my lunch,

maybe next time.”

You Have To Go

A figure inside green parentheses on the curb beside a bus with its door open, a cab waiting at the edge

(you have to get

on the bus)

I can’t

what if I have to go

to the bathroom,

(go to the bathroom)

right now

(yes)

(you have to get

on the bus now)

I can’t, it won’t stop

if I have to go

(you just went)

I know

(you have to get on the)

I can’t (just go)

ok, I did (I know)

(again) ok

(you have to

get on the bus)

I can’t (I know)

let’s call a cab

(no)

(you have to)

I know, I can’t

(I know)

it won’t stop

(I know

but you have

to go)

I know

but I can’t

(I know)

let’s call a cab

(ok) now

(yes)

ok.

My Wife

Two figures facing each other inside one pair of green parentheses

that’s her.

I like her, I

make room

because

I like her.

it’s nice when

I’m with her.

this can

change for her

and I can

change to

be with her

and I change

to be with her.

everything now

is with her.

everything now

is with her.

and now,

everything

is with her.

And They Love

A small bird resting on a flower under a gold sun

who holds

warm hands

when warmth

loves the moment

it feels its touch,

when suns

revolve around

moments because

moments define

worlds in which

gravity exists,

wind becomes

laughter for tears

that don’t exist

then become

limbs of cells

that become

feathers to fly

and rest upon

flowers of our

own creation,

and they live

because we live

and we love

because they love.