Existence by Ahrend Torrey

The ground we walk on
in its solidity, what is it
other than a place to exist?

What is existence
if it goes unnoticed—

if we, walking the grounds,
do not stop and hold firm
our bare feet

into wet soil?

To exist, is to feel,
taste, hear,
smell the summer air—

filled with prairie blossoms
and bees...

If bees are still alive,
taste them
with your ears;

reach out, now,
beneath the sun—

Touch them with your eyes!



Ahrend Torrey is the author of This Moment (Pinyon Publishing, 2024). His work has appeared in Denver Quarterly, storySouth, The Greensboro Review, and West Trade Review, among others. He lives in Chicago with his husband, Jonathan; their two rat terriers, Dichter and Dova; and Purl, their cat. Learn more about his poetry at https://ahrendtorreypoetry.wixsite.com/website