when I was a kid
(an undiagnosed autistic
kid)
I carried my favorite
characters with me,
to help me ease the pain
of living.
team rocket at a pool
party,
swimming with the
sharks.
lord zedd
and rita repulsa
watching over me in dance
class,
when the other girls were
mean.
witches and wizards
of disowned origin
sitting beside me while I
suffered,
during standardized
tests.
this habit did not go away
when I grew up—
it only darkened.
my favorite characters
never left me,
they are always watching
me,
and disgusted with me,
and laughing at me,
and judging me.
they are my bullies now,
sitting courtside to my
daily shames.
