boy, have i been there

there's a man,

and a woman too, in old town
who

hold conversations with
others

that aren't there. invisible
people

that don't talk back. but you
see them

in deep conversation,
back and forth.

crazy talk. wild loud talks
on the sidewalk,

arms flailing, eyes popping,

ignoring those passing by.
it's a one way

conversation, but it's
fierce and full of meaning to
the person

talking, he feels as if he's
getting somewhere,

that his points are being made.
that he's actually being
listened to by the person

he imagines to be real.
finally he's being
understood.

his side of the story is at last
heard. all of it an illusion.

boy oh boy, have I been there.