i can’t like other people

i can’t like other people

i can’t like other people

be normal

it is something my body

will not let me be

my bones will not

let me be

except the me

my fleshandbones are

like walking barefoot

across pebbles

and pretending

it is ice—

the souls of feet

do not lie

despite the wishes

of a feeble mind

cartwheels and backhandsprings

through a mine field

may seem spectacular

but the explosion is no different

than taking the land

stepbystep carefully carefully

i can’t

i can’t like

i can’t like other people

i can’t like other people be

i can’t like other people be normal

welcome, then, to my gymnastics. . .