Initiate the Other

Into myself
into me
but what does that mean
To separate
is to distance. How exactly
do I measure this box to box
to fit in box check box marked
OTHER?

The boundary feels so
arbitrary
like a cut that doesn’t heal smoothly
that leaves the itch of angry skin
as a reminder
that no matter how I move
it doesn't quite move
with me.

Skin of sentences
flesh of you

if I peeled off all of the labels I wear
I could draw such an image
but would you see me
there
beneath the veil and gag of bumper magnet bumper sticker
flag and fist pornography of the how quickly hate sells philosophy
in the lines on faces drawn in on themselves
the voice gone
from years spent choking down screams

if I removed
scraped
cut
excised
and laser burned
all the words used to describe define and categorize me
to differentiate me
to alienate me

if I finally broke from the weight of it
and handed it all back to you
free of my heart
free of my hands and my head
free of you

if I laid all of these words at your feet
What would you do?

How then would you define me?

How then will I define you?