“Do I exist without a viewer?
Excerpt from the poem “Schroedinger’s Cat” by Stefania Lucchetti (Coffee Stains On My Books, 2024)
Do I exist if no one recognizes me?”
Purchase the book to read the full poem.
The illustration is an original drawing by (c) Gianluca Biscalchin, created specifically for the author.
“Schroedinger’s Cat” is a poem that explores the human condition through the paradox of existence and observation, inspired by the famous thought experiment that questions the nature of reality. Like Schrödinger’s cat, suspended between existence and non-existence until it is observed, these verses delve into a question many have asked at some point in their lives: does life have value and meaning if no one else observes it?
The poem addresses the universal need to be seen, recognized, and heard—and, in turn, the ways in which we are shaped by others’ perceptions of us. It reflects on our desire to find someone who gives concreteness to our identity.
What might seem like a superficial quest for validation is, in fact, a profound human need: the search for reciprocal recognition—someone who not only observes our existence but is also “touched” and “changed” by it. This active exchange allows for mutual transformation.
“Schroedinger’s Cat” is thus a meditation on the human condition, the need to be seen, and the yearning for authentic connection, which provides us with a sense of reality and worth. Through the paradox of observation, the poem conveys a universal truth: our being feels complete only when someone participates in our existence—when our “witness” becomes proof that our life has left a mark, that it held meaning.
On a personal note, curious readers may be interested to know that I wrote the first verses of this poem after a very long period of silence, during which I withdrew from social media and public attention. The extended period of isolation we all endured during COVID provided the final inspiration for me to complete it.
Purchase
Coffee Stains on My Books is available on Amazon
The Italian version Macchie di caffè sui miei libri is available on Amazon and all Italian bookstores
