Guiding Stars

Vertical piles of people
Like poured plastic moulded into
Desirable costumes,
Fade into the landscape around me.  But for

Their diamond light-giving eyes;

Each and every one a priceless but flawed gem,
Fascinating facets
Shining emotions like
Diary excerpts or TV documentaries.

Some sparkle with freedom, some burn with zeal,
Some glare with confidence, others shyly glow.
Even the dulled stones
Blaze unpredictably when light catches on
Surface chips or deep fractures.

But I am no dealer in fine and rare jewels,
Nor am I a miner desperate for treasure,
I am not much of a shopper, trying on rings.
I just notice these things
Delighting in diamonds,
Familiar or unfamiliar.
Humanity fixed like stars
In daytime or night-time faces

For each of us to be guided by.