Open My Windows, Please

By: Christine Nam

They call the eyes the window to the soul

I wonder if I must always squint to shut myself off

I don’t want strangers knowing about me

I only want me to know about me

What if I want to slam the blinds shut, put on blackout shades?

I don’t want to open the window 

It’s too cold

I like staying warm

No need to open the window

When the wind will just slam your bedroom door

The wind will make your room chilly even during summer

It’ll bring all kinds of nosy sounds and pollen dust

But when I open the window

Why do the birds sound so sweet

Why does the breeze feel so gentle

Even the dust doesn’t make my eyes itchy anymore

They call the eyes the window to the soul

I hate exposure

I hate vulnerability

But maybe it’s not too bad once in a while