The People That Don’t Exist

By Cliff Lake

 

The People That Don’t Exist

 

Do you know about The People That Don’t Exist?

No, you don’t.

There’s one living down the street.

Did you know that?

No.

There’s one working at the office.

And one that works at the grocery store.

Did you know?

Maybe you waved at him yesterday.

Maybe you said hello to her.

Then they disappeared.

Because they don’t exist.

They don’t have birthdays.

They don’t have birthdays because you never asked.

They don’t have Christmas.

Or Hannukah or Kwanzaa.

They don’t have holidays because they don’t.

And somehow you knew that.

And knew enough not to ask.

Some of them are homeless, yes.

Some of them have houses.

Do they have homes?

You don’t know.

It’s better that way.

Because they don’t exist, not really.

Not for you.

They know they don’t exist.

Did you know that?

No.  

No, you didn’t.

I mean, how could you?

Some of them are okay with that.

Some of them like it that way.

Some of them don’t.

But you can’t tell which is which.

Because they’re all the same.

Because they don’t exist.

Not for you.

But then…

Why are they here?

You may never know.

 

Cliff Lake 12/24/2022

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2022

Location: Dalton, MA, USA

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