You Don't Know Me

We exchange pleasantries online or on the town;
you've read my poetry and perhaps you have found
some similarity between yourself and me,
but you don't know me.

We talk of politics or turns that life may make;
something I say perhaps prevents a new mistake;
but nonetheless it's wrong, because you've heard my song
to think you know me.

How could you think you know unless you've felt my pain,
stood in my burning sun or in my pouring rain?
So much of "know" depends on this experience;
and we are not quite friends without this evidence.

We've shared a meal or two, maybe a glass of wine;
not quite enough to know just where to draw the line.
I've not been in your shoes; you've never sung my blues,
so you don't know me.

Almost acquaintances: that's all we really are;
I wouldn't push the definition all that far
without me cheapening what should be deepening:
no, you don't know me.

How could you think you know what makes me tick inside
after an afternoon or two, an evening pleasure ride?
There's so much more to me than shallow "seem-to-be's";
you've not spent time enough with my reality.

We've only just begun to plumb the hidden depths;
as far as I'm concerned sometimes, it seems we've barely met.
There's so much I don't know about you, and I know
that you don't know me.

My number's on speed dial, and yours is likewise stored;
but it's a simple truth, and cannot be ignored:
you want to call me friend, but just "sort of" pretend.
Well, you don't know me.

26 JUN 2006