I watch you.

Every day

Every night

I’m there in the window

Looking in.

The chilly air fogging the glass

Or the sun making it hot

Or the rain pattering against it

Pellets in the dark.

I’m there in the tree

Ostensibly floating

Midair

Among the leaves and bark and birds and insects

Watching.

I see the home that is not a home

I see the family that is not a family

I see the love that is not love.

I see the truth.

I know you.

In the past

In the future.

I’m there in your mind

Listening in

The thoughts whipping by

Or drifting uneasily

Or trying to stay hidden

Afraid of the truth.

I’m there in your thoughts

Seemingly hidden

Invisible

Among the feelings and sounds and darkness and rubble.

Knowing.

I know the home that is not a home

I know the family that is not a family

I know the love that is not love

I know the truth.

You don’t see me

In day

Nor night

You’re within yourself

Blind.

My breath fogging the glass

My skin making it hot

My fingers tapping against it

Pleas for attention in the oblivion.

You’re there so close

But so far

Unreachable

Among the conceit and vanity and self involvement.

Unseeing.

You don’t see the friend that always listens

You don’t see the girl that always cares

You don’t see the love that always comforts

You don’t see me.

You don’t know me

In the past

In the future.

I’m there in existence

Not existing

My ideas whipping by

Or drifting uneasily

Or trying to be noticed

Never listened to.

I’m there right in front

Seemingly solid

Visible

Among the screaming and yelling and crying and pleading

Unknown.

You don’t know the friend that is always more

You don’t know the girl that is begging for attention

You don’t know the love that is more than love

You don’t know me.