Enigma Variations

by André Aciman

Dreams inflect our face, our smile, and on our voice lingers the timbre of desire we weren’t willing to hide while dreaming.

Rituals are when we wish to repeat what has already happened, rehearsals when we repeat what has yet to occur.

As someone said over dinner once, each of us is given at least nine versions of our lives, some we guzzle, others we take tiny, timid sips from, and some our lips never touch.”