by Lisa Lillibridge
to treat or consider
(a person or a group of people)
as alien to oneself
Merriam Webster
I want to blame
I need to blame
someone else
something else
anywhere else
for my inner tornado
alienate
vilify
repeat
easy breezy
automatic, unconscious
our world’s challenges
far too complex
and exhausting
to metabolize
entirely on my own
quell my fears
confirm my programming
please just tell me who, what, and where
I should other today
my team’s constant drumbeat
deliberate, unyeielding
laboring 24/7
to justify
their clouding of my inner knowing
click, forward, like, share, and tweet
fair and balanced
the daily diary of the American dream
all the news that’s fit to print
immutable
and distracting
like a howling airplane baby
poor mum
damn baby
damn mum
poor baby
othering
seductive
like an ice cold beer
hot, salty french fries
or another slice of chocolate cake
how did I other today?
those people are not my people
that problem is not my problem
that place is not my place
alienate
vilify
repeat
conformity is obedient and compliant
far easier
than looking in the mirror
and down into my own heart
I know I should not utter a word
until I’ve walked at least
ten steps in someone else’s
work-boots
sneakers
high heels
wing tips
flip flops
or bare feet
but I do
we all do
and it’s destroying us
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Beautiful, Lisa. Very resonant.
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Thank you, Maggie.
Love this Lisa!