They drift along the edges of every society,
yet you might find them anywhere within them
And after centuries of puritanical persecution,
they've become more cautious and elusive
They may not even realize whom they are
until relatively later in their lifetimes
But they've always felt a bit odd
and not quite in sync with others
Instinctually, they seem to know
that they have a certain mission
and obligation while among humans
But how does one reach a society
that acts if it were globally insane
They've had to become great actors
upon the stages of human affairs,
especially with their own families
Ironically those who should know them well
actually understand whom they are the very least,
for they are blinded by whom they think they are
Often when you notice them at all it makes you pause
as you examine them and their eyes, however briefly,
and then you realize that there's something peculiar
or curious about the way they quietly look at others
It's a rather strange and somewhat unnerving gaze
which momentarily captivates your attention
until you just shake your head and move on,
while you quickly reenter your safe world
You seem to remember sensing an aura
about them that was quite uncommon,
and yet somehow disturbingly familiar
Almost as if it was a soft and subtle glow,
or perhaps a mystical and magical radiance
unseen clearly by your eyes, but felt deeply
and profoundly by your heart and soul
But, whatever it really was eludes you
like a misty and ethereal shadow
So you just try to let it go and attempt to ignore it
by escaping that which you do not wish to understand
But that brief encounter will sometimes haunt you,
for you might realize that they were beckoning you
and once again you have avoided their invitation
I wonder why that is ...
Have you ever dreamed
of flying away with them
Soaring with the fringe riders
while enriching your soul
They have the eyes of angels
for those who choose to see,
and they have the very power
that you've always wished for
Oh, not over mere human happenings,
but that which is truly forever
And I wonder too,
what will you do
the next time
you meet their eyes,
and feel their presence
within whom you wish to be

dennis j hopkins ~ 11/2001
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