Unknown

I found myself walking the alleys of my favorite park. I sat on my bench under a sycamore and watched people pass by. I have always liked to see them walk before my eyes, chattering about their lives, their worries, their hopes or busying themselves in an attempt to make head or tail of things. Careless joggers, sleepy teenagers on their way to school,morose gentlemen taking their dogs out early in the morning, lovers in search of a quiet corner. I was a good spectator, never interfering, always scrutinizing them with my invisible magnifying glass.

Yet now, I felt like I was no longer part of the show. My actors, they passed by as usual, unknowingly exciting cascading thoughts in my head. But somehow, this time I felt out of place and out of picture. It was like I no longer fitted the scenery. Or was it that the scenery no longer became me?

At some point, a girl stopped and unchained her dog's leash. Then she sat down and turned towards me smilingly. I wanted to greet her but then I realized she was looking right through me, watching her chase a stray cat. I waved to get her attention but she kept looking right through me.

I jumped to my feet and started to run. Yet, no dogs chased me and apparently...no one saw me. I felt a pang of sadness overtaking me. I had watched them all this time lovingly, taking in all their words, all their gestures, and yet to them I was simply...unknown.