Please do not reduce me

Can you please listen to me when I’m sharing what feels important?

Please do not reduce me to a machine made of flesh

I’m not an object for you to push, poke and prod 

I’m a human being just—like—you

Please do not reduce me to a structure that you can analyze 

I’m not a building with a failing foundation 

I’m a human being just—like—you


Please do not reduce me to a vehicle of levers and tubes 

I’m not a car that needs its tires aligned and oil changed

I’m a human being just—like—you


Please do not reduce me to a problem, 

I’m not a problem.

I’m a human being just—like—you, or maybe not


It’s hard for me to feel your humanity


Please believe me when I tell you that I am in pain

If you can’t help me please refrain from making it my fault

Please don’t tell me that my pain is all in my head


Pick a number on the pain scale between one and ten

Ha ha, you don’t know pain if you are asking me this question

My pain is exquisite, pervasive, permeating through the ground of my being

My pain is transmitted through history and entangled with the substrates of my existence


My pain is made up of countless ghosts 

Pain is the dis—integrated self howling outside my door

Well intentioned touch is worthless if the impact in poor



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Pain Spirit in My House