Poem: Author's Prerogative

Do imaginary friends count?
Those voices you hear
in your head.
The characters you see
only in your mind
and when you try
to put them down on paper
they become recalcitrant
They have their own thoughts
personalities
their own quirks
which you didn't assign to them.
This is their story
not yours
not anymore.
They will see it
through to the bitter end
through hell and high water
but not according to your plan,
no matter how hard you
shepherd them onto the track.
Are they still your friends
or have they become
your worst enemies?