A short list of people
who were never born,
not conceived, not dreamed up,
not a gleam in someone’s eye.
Romulus Baird
Laurel Frankenstar
Bertram Bacardus
Willy Simgrip
Ivor Pollingham
Missy Darman
Hans Harlow
Renee Tussore
Tuzla Niderstill
Rosa Effel
They will never pay taxes
nor will they pay attention.
They will never thrill
to soft sexual embrace.
They will feel neither gypped nor joyful.
They will not eat fruit – orange
nor bite a firm nut – almond
nor eat the flesh of cows.
They will not feel
disgust nor distrust nor dark sorrow
nor boredom for that matter.
Notice empty chairs,
empty cars,
empty seats on buses,
empty phone booths.
The one not present might be one of them.
They are very near you
all around surrounding you
like disappointed angels
tapping on windows,
banging on doors,
begging to be let in
to the human house.
Do not let them in.
Thank them for not being.
Promise them you
will experience your life
with utmost
attention.
1995