who are these people

some people aren't there.

you're with them. side by side.
but they

aren't there.
there's no one home to speak
of.

yes, the lights are on,
but the rooms

are empty, the cupboard bare.
you never

truly know who they are.
they don't even know.

but here they are, beside you.
as far away

as anyone can be,
unreachable,

unlovable, not a single clue
as to who they are,

or who they want to be.
they mirror

the world, they play a role,
whatever
is needed
in the moment,

behind the curtain though,
there is nothing,

just an empty shell,
pretending,

there is nothing there to see.