Averting the Gaze

Amazing how close is 'avert' to 'averse'…

Why withhold eye contact from neighbours? Why avert the gaze?

Here are some reasons:

Pair-bond Dynamics ---

Play it cool for other's sake;

Avoid the jealous other-other;

What if other shares attraction;

Giving one a chance to look.

Selfishness ---

Hope I'm not solicited;

I don't wanna talk to you;

Don't meet neighbours, build high fences;

Isolated suburbs, here.

Sketchiness / Emotional Toil ---

Inner self, I scream too loudly;

Lack of care or empathy;

Guilt & fear & real emotions;

Scared of being victimized.

Absorption in What I Do / Think ---

Lack of presence, mindfulness;

A space cadet lost beyond reach;

There's not room enough to list here;

Fill in blanks, your life is yours.

Non-Imposition / Respect ---

Giving others privacy, space;

It's the social norm 'round here;

No one's into people prying;

Or are we just conditioned such?

Meekness / Shying Away ---

obscure;

diminutive;

introverted;

fading away…

          ~ Cory

Cory Ash is a current member of the Yoga Centre Winnipeg 200 hour teacher training program.