INVISIBLE
By Diane Webb
By Diane Webb
It’s a strange
feeling, being invisible.
You speak and no one
answers.
You ask a question and
no one hears.
You wave and no one
sees.
People walk by.
You make eye contact
and smile.
They look right
through you.
They cannot see.
They do not know you
are there.
At first I did not understand.
I did not know.
I thought I was being
ignored.
Maybe people were
rude.
But being ignored is
different.
So is rudeness.
People have to know
you are there.
To ignore you, I
mean.
Or to be rude
Maybe I offended.
But, I could not
think how.
It kept happening and
I was confused.
Everyone could not be
ignoring me.
I could not have
offended so many.
I might be invisible,
I thought.
What else could it
be?
It sounds crazy but
just maybe.
So I tested just to
be sure.
I made a comment in a
group.
It’s as if I never
spoke.
I directed a question
to a specific person.
Silence was my answer.
I wondered if I
really spoke at all.
Maybe I just thought I said something.
So I tested again,
and again.
In different
situations;
With different
people;
Still…the same
result.
I wondered, Am I
really here?
Maybe I am in a dream.
I pinched myself.
No. I am awake.
Am I invisible or
something?
Is that even
possible?
What else could it
be?
People talk to each
other.
Just not to me.
People look at each
other.
Just not at me.
People smile at each
other.
Just not towards me.
And so it must be
true, I think.
I am invisible is
seems.
So now I know.
I accept.
My feelings don’t get
hurt.
It’s not their fault.
They just can’t see
me.
Right?
