Anyone Like Me

When I was fifteen,

I’d been noticing girls.

And I saw this one and thought,

she’d be good to know.

 

So I sat beside her,

once at lunch,

and then tried to talk.

 

But she cut me off before a word was out.

Standing up,

she said,

 

“I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known,

“anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“I don’t think I want to be hanging around,

with someone like you.”

 

Then when I was eighteen,

I moved out from my parents’ place,

telling myself, “You’re finally free.”

 

I got a job in a coffee shop,

and started making a little more money.

 

I saw a chick,

at a table,

reading a book,

by Somerset Maugham.

And I thought,

she’d be good to know.

 

So I sat beside her and tried to talk.

 

But she cut me off,

with barely a glance.

She said,

 

“I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“I don’t think I want to be hanging around,

“with someone like you.”

 

When I was twenty-three, I was making a living,

done with college,

I knew

I wasn’t free.

I saw this woman, at this place,

watching me across the room.

She looked okay, but I looked away,

because she reminded me of someone like me.

 

Next thing I know, I’m looking up,

because a shadow crossed over

the top of my laptop.

 

I turned to see, who could it be,

but you know, you know,

it was her.

And she said,

 

“I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“I thought I might want to hang around,

with someone like you.”

 

And I said,

“Yeah, I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“You seem to be,

“a lot like me.”

 

And she said, “Yeah, that’s probably true.

“Because you seem,

“a lot like me.

“I don’t know,

“how it’ll go,

“Let’s just try it for a while,

“and see.”