discerning

It's like when you see your reflection

in the tinted window and you know

you are as real as you thought you were.

And when the three drunk men on their

porch steps make childlike whimpers in the light of day,

you know you are as real as you thought you were.

The cars honk, and the light turns red,

but then you slip on the black ice, and

it's like you are as real as you thought you were.

When your necklace breaks and the beads spill

and one goes in hiding under the couch,

and you know you are as real as you thought you were.

When you hit the keys, and the words appear

and the full stops give way, to the capitals.

you know then

that you are only as real as they let you think.