Common Stranger

“So what exactly happens,

When we meet?” I ask.

“We’re generally able to see each other,” he retorts,

Sorting his way through my thoughts

“But it’s truly a rare vision

These unruly sporadic collisions

You see, it’s seeing me

That sets off an occurrence

And I’ll have to save us both

Before it worsens.”

Looking around for prying eyes and ears

 And With a tone as slight as a feather

He says “you’ll see what I mean,

If you ever get your shit together.”

He rests confidently back in his chair

Now speaking in a voice loud and clear

“You’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

C’mon, listen to what I’m saying here,

If you can take command of your gift,

The world’s basically at your fingertips.”

 He glares wide-eyed at me,

Expecting me to talk

But I have this horrid chalky taste

On my tongue and on my lips

Although, it’s entirely possible

That I’m imagining it.

He finally tires of waiting

And says in goaded tone

“You’ll keep perplexing yourself

Wondering if I even existed.

If I was just a mysterious figment of mind

Or if you can keep your thought process consistent.”

I smirk and lightly state

“I know you’re not real,

I can rid you from my sight

Whenever I feel”

He swiftly reacts

“But maybe I am!

I have flesh and bone potential!

There’s more I need to tell you,

And listen close, coz’ it’s essential.

You ought to learn to keep your head down

You’re fortunate I found you.

There’re others here prowling ‘round.

More than a few have grouped, collectively

They have used or abused their power effectively

They do not see a use for civil exchange yet

They don’t want rivalry

And see most people as a threat.

To put this in terms you will understand,

If you are discovered,

You should plan for reprimand.”

And with that,

He vanished in a blink.

Sitting there, I ponder, alone

About whether he’ll ever appear again.

I decide it’s beyond unknown

I seize what he told me

And choose to take note.

Knowing that I’m not alone,

And there are others

That understand the things I don’t,

It changes everything. It humbles me,

Even though I know

It was my brain projecting all along

It allows me to warm my core

Allows me to trust in myself

And I didn’t have that before.