They can tell you
the great things Mr. Smith did
the funny things Mr. Smith said
the relationships Mr. Smith screwed up
the struggles Mr. Smith endured
and you may think you’ve gotten to know Mr. Smith
But a biography can never tell you about
the complete satisfaction Mr. Smith felt as he smelled a new leather belt
or the time Mr. Smith got too much change back and didn’t tell the cashier
or how he fussed with trying to cover his bald spot
or how he wished the sixth grade teacher who’d laughed at him could see him now
or how spiders scared him so much he stayed nervous if he saw one disappear into a crack
So despite all you learn about Mr. Smith in a biography
you never get to know Mr. Smith at all.