A short list of people
who were never born,
not conceived,
not a gleam in anyone’s eye,
until now, not even fictional.
Romulus Baird
Laurel Frankenstar
Bertram Bacardus
Willy Sengar
Marie Zamora
Ivor Pollingham
Missy Darman
Hans Harlow
Renee Tussore
Trent Fullerman
They will never pay taxes
nor will they pay attention.
They will not eat fruit – citrus
nor bite a firm nut – almond
nor eat the flesh of cows.
They will not know
disgust nor mistrust nor dark sorrow
nor boredom for that matter.
They will feel neither gypped nor joyful.
Notice empty chairs in your doctor’s office,
empty cars in parking lots,
empty seats on buses,
empty phone booths.
The one not present might be one of them.
They are very near you
all around surrounding
like spoiled angels
begging to be let in.
Do not let them in.
Thank them for not being.
Tell them you will live
with twofold intensity.
1996