Feel It?

Does it really mean much
Difference if you see it
In its presence or in

Pictures? We want to say
Yes, you should see the stars
For yourself, if sighted,

Listen to birds singing
Where birds are, if you hear,
Stop and smell the roses

By finding some roses
On the way, leaning down,
And deeply inhaling,

If you can. The pictures
Of stars through telescopes,
The digitized background

Tracks of birds in jungles
You’ve never visited,
The rose-water flavored

Teas, synthetic rose scents,
Are not supposed to count.
And why is this? You’re still

Such ancient animals—
If you’re not linked by touch,
By some direct contact

Chain, you can’t believe it.
All sense is touch for you
In the end, at the end

Of chains of connections,
Though your information
Is mostly indirect.

If you can sense the chain
Vibrating you, it’s real.
Unreal’s what you can’t feel.