an invitation

contracting

not just literally

bodies that attempt to interface 

with mine

finding out the responses

to naming what i am 

responsible to 

picking up things that cannot be put back down

masking a performance that i’m comfortable with 

it's not moving my heavenly body in a way

that garners too much attention 

playing the wall that now helps me stand fully 

my family always comments on my posture

my forces of nature adjust my shoulders for me

they are my antidote to 

the contempt

the judgement

the misplaced rage

the hunger

that is placed on my personhood

my femininity

like a chiropractic realignment

there's a stirring in my soul 

a voice that is a myriad of tones

reminding me of my own

it has a mixture of sea salt and clay

speaking of permission to be 

to be expansive

to be bold 

to be rich in my pitch

they implore me not to limit myself

they invite me to soften 

they courage me to let folks in 

or even worship 

dote on me

love on me

a sensation of care that is not pretentious 

it is seen when i feel seen

in all that i am 

all that walk with me

a kiss on the top of my crown

an affirmation of my spirit that is not transactional 

a sense that i can swing and sweep on a dancefloor when i hear that song

a dispatch from Io, adjacent to Jupiter 

that reminds me that

I am indeed worthy 

of such exaltation that does not alienate me

instead allowing me 

to fumble and be nuanced

receive and take

love and be loved

an illness of half truths 

misguided projections

and assumptions

can only take root in my psyche and bodies 

if i grant it permission.