Curious

People are curious beings. It is as though they are constantly overcome with an urge to help others. It is not a kind thing, it can be, but it is mostly instinctual.

If one's pencil begins to roll, if another notices, they will attempt to stop it and put it at rights. If one's papers fall to the floor, often you will see others stop to help them pick things up. If someone runs into another, they apologize, sometimes even if it was the other's fault.

Some people do not have these urges. If the pencil rolls, they avert their eyes. If papers are strewn about they step over them, or maybe even upon them. If they run into another, they blame them.

Indeed, they are curious. Some that seem kind, are cruel. Like an elegant Venus fly trap waiting to snap. And contrary wise, those that appear cruel, may be soft-hearted.

There are some, that when one falls down, will laugh at them and leave; others will chuckle good humoredly and help them on their feet once more; other still, will gasp in horror and rush to their side, asking if they're okay, insisting they get checked out; and yet, others may not react at all. They may simply look on from afar, or never notice and merely continue along their way, never having been bothered to intersect their life-bubble with another stranger's.

It is not so hard to see why they cannot see themselves in a proper lighting; after all, whenever they do get a good look at themselves it is entirely reverse of how everyone else views them. They carefully hone in on each of their flaws, being that they are with themselves every moment of every day from conception to death, this is also not difficult to picture. They are closer and have a different perspective on their bodies and minds. They see what others do not. But they do not see how they look when their eyes light up with excitement or the explosive way their joy happily spreads to others.

No, they only see their own flaws.

Sometimes they pick out the flaws in others, some do not, some can only do this. But others' flaws are not so bad as their own seem. And with time, the closer together the two strangers become, the less the flaws are noticed and the more prominent become the wonderful, admirable qualities that make them special.

Yes, the more thought put into them the more curious people become. How painfully they seek attention; wanting after it like a newborn gasps for its first taste of air. They speak and cry and smile and express themselves in the most noticeable of ways, and when they are ignored, they may fall to pieces, or their expressions may become louder. But they are never truly ignored, for someone has seen them and is debating  if they should go to them and talk to them, perhaps ask them what's wrong, or what they're smiling about, what are they laughing about, are they okay, how was their weekend?  Someone sees.

Every time someone expresses themselves, someone sees.  Someone cares.

Compassionate, cruel, candid, contemptuous, coddled, confused, curious beings, people are.