sacrosanct.

the way
i do not recognize
my body
in the mirror

is not one of
dissociation

but of overwhelming
ownership

through every jab
pinch
scratch
punch
i have inflicted upon myself

i have never questioned

that my body
is mine

every weapon i use
to slice
gnaw
heave
shove
against it

it remains the same

it remains
soft

in retaliation of my harshness
it is more evolved than me

perhaps i can evolve

into something
soft
too

–

e.h. lemon