The Roots of Awareness

In each of us, 
There are faces hidden, 
Yet to be seen, 
Yet to be justified,
Moment to moment, 
Joy, fear, beauty, suffering, cruelty, 
—Phylogenetic forces
Rooted in entropy’s temporary defeats. 
The drive to survive. 
Emergence of the other, then of self. 
The universe freed!

2024, ICM, AI, Photo-Composite, Canandaigua