The invisible man in the asylum corridor
sees others quite clearly,
including the doctor who patiently tells him
he isn't invisible,
and pities the doctor, who must be mad
to stand there in the asylum corridor,
talking and gesturing
to nothing at all.

The invisible man has great compassion.
So, after a while, he pulls on his body
like a rumpled glove, and switches his voice
to comfort the elated doctor with words.
Better to suffer this prominence
than for the poor young doctor to learn
he himself is insane.
Only the strong can know that.