The velvet of scars
is poignant to stroke
a fast-track to meaningful feelings
like an introduction, never revisited
where woke idioms trip the uncommitted
I, the roughly carved,
my ID worn in a forgotten tick
- if it’s there it shouldn’t be
It’s not a badge of pride or privilege club,
unless you are the wearer
The scream of old wounds
requires a certain touch
lighter than a spirit’s zephyr
more of the mind than the mortal
With more alarms than erogenous zones
here is the Borg interface
the unlovable channel of adoration
and mutual consent
required only once:
signed in is lived in
Not a barrier unless you let it
or can’t get past access codes
an open group
formed in trauma
joined without a thought
even invisible scars mark you out
we see across crowds
and know you
or not
Yes we make each other cry
a cry of love
as with parental pride
but it’s no stupid pantomime
***