Io Sono L'Altro

I am the other
I'm the one who scares you
I'm the one who sleeps
In the next room

I am the other
You can find me in the mirror
Your reflected image
The opposite of yourself
I am the other

I'm the shadow of your body
I'm the shadow of your world
The one who does the dirty work
In your place

I'm the one who beats you to the parking spot
And delays your departure
The husband of the woman you fell in love with
I'm the one they hired when they fired you
The one who sleeps on cardboard at the station

I'm the black mark on the boat
I'm the one who seems calmer to you
Because he was born lucky

Or just because he's twenty years younger
What you see are just my clothes
Now take a walk around and then tell me
And then
I am the veil

That covers the faces of women
Every choice or position
That is not understood
I am the other
The one that your own sea
Sees from the opposite shore

I am your brother
The handsome one
I'm the surgeon who will operate on you tomorrow
The one who drives while you sleep
The one who screams like a madman and sits next to you
The donor you were waiting for your transplant

I'm the father of the handicapped child
Who is in class with your son
The bank manager where you applied for a loan

The one who was convicted
The prime minister
What you see are just my clothes
Now go take a walk and then tell me

And then you tell me
You tell me
And then you tell me
You tell me
And then you tell me
And then you tell me
You tell me