Pixels

They’re just pixels on a screen.

Fictional persons in front of me.

If they do not exist in the physical world,

Why do I care for them?

Is it because of how they look?

It can’t be that shallow of an answer.

If they are just pixels on a screen,

Why do I care for them?

Is it their personalities?

The way they carry themselves,

But they are fictional.

If they are just pixels on a screen,

Why do I care for them?

Is it the struggles they go though

As the story progresses?

The struggles that are reflected?

Maybe?

If they are pixels on a screen,

Why do I care for them?

Why do I care if they have a good life?

Why do I want them to succeed?

Why do I care if they live or die?

If they are pixels on a screen,

Why do I care for them?

My blood races beside theirs

In the heat of battle.

My heart flutters in anticipation

To the character’s confessions.

As well as break,

When their body lies lifelessly.

Why do I feel these strong emotions?

A feeling of validation

When a character approves of my actions.

A sense of guilt and shame

When they disapprove.

Why must I do everything

In my power to give them a good life?

To be the best they can be?

Make me want to be the best I can be?

If they are just pixels on a screen,

Why do I care for them?

Maybe they reflect what I want?

What I need?

The comfort to know they’ll be there,

Right by my side.

The understanding of struggling,

To make the best of their situations.

If they are just pixels on a screen,

Why do I care for them?

Maybe to be a catalyst to be better,

To fight for better,

For myself and the ones I hold dear.

To know we’re worth the fight.

For these days,

When we should be connected more than ever,

Are thousands of miles away.

They are the ones that are here

When others cannot.

Just like a character from a book

A show or movie,

They are fictional,

But feel more real

Than the people around.

They maybe just be pixels before me,

But that doesn't change

How much I care for them.