Inner Other

At this particular intersection
Of a fairly minor quiet corner
Of cultural fermentations and wars,
The Other is running low on wonder.

Others as aliens, othering saints,
And a general sense that being othered
By others is a systemic crisis
All suggest otherhood menaces us

As it behooves us to menace others.
This is not a plea for understanding.
Understanding polishes the weapons.
But some of us nourish inner others

We have no wish to hug or surrender.
You’re other to the world, and the world is
Other outside you, in your dreams all night.
No one needs shadows who can’t process light.