The Grand Illusion

Funny, she once said to me that I must have an incredible life. She used to listen to me when I rambled on about traveling here and traveling there – she was young and I wore the mask well. Once again I was reminded that people really don’t know – the space between us is too grand. I was a hero to her and a joke to myself – I feared that if we hung out much longer she would see that I was just roadkill. How worldly was I – my well being hung on a thread at the corner of her smile. So I fed her the lies and hoped she would never look closely through the dark window at the crying child. She didn’t know my travels were bruised and life is never as good as the paintings – the picture you are looking at doesn’t tell the story. If I could be this person she wanted then I too would be on Olympus. I’m no prince – I am dried out and tied like a knot. I was horrified by the way she searched for life in my eyes until it was time to leave. Yes, I let you down – I couldn’t be the place you needed to be. You grew up and I never did. Soon you will know much more than I.