The infinite stranger

The infinite stranger

The stranger came by for a visit again
Throughout the fog, the mist
I can barely make out his shape
but I recognize him
during the day he hides in the shadows
but at night he can roam about freely
is this stranger "I", or is "I" this stranger?

the closer I feel to "I"
the stronger he asserts himself
yet, the more "I" accept him
the more vaguely he becomes
like the planet and the moon
they repel yet they pull
in never-ending equilibrium

maybe "I" is the stranger
the figment of the person "I" once was
but "I" lost 
as life has its way with me
maybe the hopes and dreams of this stranger
once where mine

he just visits 
to torture me with them
as life has its way with me
hopes are prayers for non-believers
dreams are for children
reality tastes like nothing anymore
that I experience
so intensely

morning arrives
the fog starts to lift
this stranger takes place within "I"
as "I" take his place in the shadows

See you again tonight "I" whisper 
to the infinite stranger that is me