Imaginary Man (Open Window) Poem by Zooey Lichty

I open my window so that the imaginary man can look at me
So he can stare and gaze at me
My mother warns me “Close your blinds! Someone might be watching”
I secretly think -Let them watch
-I want to be watched
-I hope someone’s watching.

I secretly wave to the imaginary man
I wonder what he thinks.
I flash the imaginary man to get a reaction
I think all day about the imaginary man
I think all night about the imaginary man

I wish he was not an imaginary man
I wish he was a real man
I wish he would come outside when I go outside
To meet me, to see me in person
I wish that I was the imaginary man that someone hopes for
I want the imaginary man.
I want him to be real