What are these things if not play? Romping with unfettered joy toward something bright?

[This essay is a companion piece to “Animal Impulses.” I recommend reading them together.]

*comical sound of harsh brakes and tire-squealing*

This space is mine and oddly crowded with me. I’m 31 but I live with my 23-year-old self, my 17-year-old self, 14, 12, 7, 5… You get it.