You all right? he said again.I didn't love him, I was far away from him, it was as though I was seeing him through a smeared window or glossy paper; he didn't belong here. But he existed, he deserved to be alive. I was wishing I could tell him how to change so he could get there, the place where I was.Yes, I said. I touched him on the arm with my hand. My hand touched his arm. Hand touched arm. Language divides us into fragments, I wanted to be whole.
The speaker reflects on their emotional distance from another person, feeling as if they are viewing him through a barrier that hinders genuine connection. Despite recognizing his existence and worthiness of life, there is an undeniable separation that leaves her longing for a deeper interaction, for a way to guide him towards her own state of being. This illustrates a struggle with isolation and the desire for understanding.
In this moment, the speaker acknowledges the simplicity yet significance of touch as she makes a physical connection, albeit brief, with the man. It emphasizes her yearning for wholeness amidst fragmentation caused by language and emotional barriers. The passage conveys a longing for intimacy, underscoring the complexities of communication and connection in human relationships.
