American Glasses for Conrad

CLARITY: EMERGENT PHENOMENON | Moment Three Hundred Thirty-Five

A group of German architecture students
came to Mies van der Rohe’s stomping grounds.
They were a friendly bunch
and were entertained
by my rural American stories.

I explained that their black thick-rimmed glasses
seemed somewhat silly and overbearing.
Though their glasses were fashionable in Stuttgart,
Conrad asked me about “American glasses --
with invisible frames. Where to find them?”

I explained about my first roommate
who discovered IIT students
could receive free comprehensive eye exams
and glasses from the Eye Institute
just across Michigan Avenue.

A few days later,
Conrad appeared with rimless glasses,
a wide smile on his face,
and an uncharacteristically joyful disposition.
He explained to me at lunch,
“I cannot feel them at all!
You were right. They were free.
They did so many studies on my eyes.
I cannot believe we were not told.”

Babell said with a warbling giggle,
“Conrad looks so professional.
So, how do you say -- like a businessman.”