I Know Better

"I Know Better"

I see people everywhere

that are not there,

They exist

at the edges of my perception

where the safety of reality

and all things knowable

fray.

They say

it's all in my head

that it's not real.

     But I know better,

They would have me believe

their narrative instead,

that I am one of them.

     But I know better,

That somehow

my life is uniquely mine

but not at all uncommon,

     not different enough to be different

     and not safe enough to be innocent.

These people I see 

that are right in front of me

seem more far away and unreal

     than the shadow people from my dreams

because I know better.

-Armando Torres