We’re always connected and yet somehow more lonely than ever. 

Our latest feature combines the beautiful poetry from an Australian writer and the inspired collage work from a Portuguese architecture student.

Words: Ranata Suzuki | Art: Pedro Aires

 

There’s a reason we feel lonely even though we’re not alone.

It’s because loneliness is not about how many friends we have

or how many people there are in the room with us;

it’s a disconnection from other human beings.

Being social doesn’t cure loneliness;

many people socialize when they don’t really feel like it just to keep up appearances.

Sometimes the most popular person in the crowd is the loneliest of them all

underneath the facade of their superficial projection

is a person who is never truly seen or known by anybody.

We all have layers of personas

and we all pretend we’re okay when we’re not,

but loneliness comes when there is not a single person

close enough to see past those illusions

to see who we really are

and what we’re really feeling inside.

There is no greater isolation than being trapped inside yourself

without another living soul to reach for.

And that is why it is possible to feel loneliness

even when surrounded by people we know and love

because there are times when a person can stand right next to us

but not be close enough to really see us.

And sometimes there are moments

when the loneliest place on earth is being surrounded by people we call friends

and knowing not a single one of them knows who we really are.

 

Wallow some more in Ranata’s beautiful words at her tumblr, pinterest, insta and website.

Explore Pedro’s fantastic creations on his website or purchase his prints via his online shop.