Snapshots of People I Have Never Met is a collection of short poems that reflects on the nature of observation and the stories we weave around those we encounter. Each poem captures a moment, distilled to its essence, and reflects my own interpretations and emotional responses.
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Snapshots of People I Have Never Met is a collection of short poems that reflects on the nature of observation and the stories we weave around those we encounter. Each poem captures a moment, distilled to its essence, and reflects my own interpretations and emotional responses. For instance, Sexless Slurper and Sexless Cake-Mix probe the intersections of identity and perception, while Pregnant 16 Year Old and Last Days of an Old Man confront themes of youth, vulnerability, and the passage of time.
The title Snapshots emphasizes the brevity and immediacy of these observations, akin to photographs capturing transient scenes. Each poem represents a snapshot of life’s rich tapestry, viewed through the lens of my own experiences and imagination. These observations, while rooted in real moments, are ultimately infused with poetic license and subjective interpretation.
This collection is as much about the act of observing as it is about the people observed. It questions how we perceive others and how those perceptions shape our understanding of the world. The varying tones and themes—from the intimate to the public, the mundane to the profound—demonstrate the diversity of human experience and the myriad ways in which we intersect with each other, however briefly.
In presenting these snapshots, I hope to offer readers a chance to reflect on their own observations and the stories they carry. These poems are not definitive truths but rather glimpses into the vast, intricate mosaic of human life, encouraging empathy and introspection.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through fleeting moments and silent stories. May these snapshots inspire you to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and to recognize the beauty and complexity in every brief encounter.
-Alex
Sample
Snapshot (12) Stockings Hide Your Varicose Veins
the forty year old mini skirt
whose varicose veins shine
beneath terracotta stockings,
smiling blue shop uniform,
reflects a desperate soul
or perhaps one who has finally submitted?
your fingers tap 4 liters of paint
as your partner approaches
“I got the paint, it’s so beautiful…”
he wordlessly sits
motionless,
“I think you’ll like this…”
he wordlessly sits
motionless,
“I’ll get you a coffee…”
he wordlessly sits
motionless,
“Would you like one?”
he wordlessly sits,
motionless;
her smile darkens
and she excuses herself,
“I must go to the bathroom.’
but I see her disappear into a shop.
His black eyes confront me
sitting at the next table,
wordless… motionless…
I notice she has left behind
the beautiful, special paint.
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Snapshot (13) Sexless Slurper
9.30 another cup of coffee.
black cardigan mini denim
auburn hair flowing over pimples
covering pretty outline
eating croissant
and she takes out a novel!
a love story no doubt, crunch crunch
“I love you madly,” crunch munch
“I feel so sexy,” munch yum
she puts the book away (good)
and takes out a magazine (better?)
“Madonna has Child” slurp crunch
“Your Day by the Stars” yum yum
and the world again, is
as it should be.