“never a sound”

Inspired by the poem “Walls” by CP Cavafy.

Walls, limits, borders—constructed by society—exist to confine and define the human experience. These partitions can be tangible structures of brick and mortar, but equally powerful are the invisible barriers formed deep within our minds. These internal walls emerge gradually, shaped by subtle verbal cues, judgments, and societal signals accumulated throughout our lives. We hear them in children's playground taunts, in whispers exchanged between students at school, in workplace interactions, conversations with friends, through social media threads, and from the persistent hum of news cycles.

These cues travel silently through the hearing nerve into the cortex, embedding themselves as truths. With repetition, they crystallize into mental bricks, forming unseen yet formidable walls within us—barriers that hinder a fulfilled and integrated life. In youth, the building process is imperceptible, even encouraged. Ironically, as children, we are taught to build walls and sandcastles, joyfully participating without awareness. As adults, we find ourselves living in boxes stacked vertically and horizontally, isolated while surrounded, together yet profoundly apart.

Time passes until one day, in older age, sitting by a window warmed by the golden glow of sunset, we finally perceive these walls clearly. Drawn forth by the fading light, they slip out from behind half-open curtains, encircling us like quiet specters. We gaze in astonishment, wondering when these structures arose—having never heard the sounds of building nor glimpsed the workers or machinery. Yet here they stand, silent and undeniable, leaving us to ask: And now, what?