Is there nothing more human than nameless uncleanly flesh?
Or the inherent desire for us to caress it?
Strung out and splayed in the sheets and pillows
Mumbling, a language unfamiliar but ancient
A bag of flesh and bones; an animal in all respects,
Contrary to the wildlife, I noticed your new tattoo: bloody and bruised protected under a second skin
On the matter of your containment,
I can't help but admire, dress or undress, how it suits you
Staring holes in your soul, but not quite making eye contact
Just for you to look back with your polarizing, magnetizing eyes
Your positive field and mine, push the other's away; it's only expected when we're both this attracted

Roll around with me, in the mess and entanglement of the blankets
At least until we light up again,
Only then will we find true comfort in the bliss of being trapped
Trapped by ones own inability to fix the warmth of the world rumpled around you

If it weren't for your giddiness
Or for our lungs ablaze,
You would think we were on something
Truly, we were like this before we opened up the window again

But to be fair, we had only just closed it too

My eyes shut, but I can still feel your ticklish gaze
Unable to help it, I giggle and glance at you,
Just make me the prey lying in the lions den, a lamb oh-too comfortable with the idea of being eaten alive by you
Kicking the overheating away, we leave our chest exposed
You in a bra you don't need and me: wishing I didn't need mine

Predisposed by my own self-fate,
You, to your Predetermined self-hate: beings of the time
It would be strange to see us as anything less than divine

It always surprises me when I fall for someone,
Because I don't find myself doing that often
It's unusual loving someone so human

When I myself struggle to see my own within: inhuman.

I no longer want to be told, just existing (in-)human, that I am living sin
Because to "sin", is "unhuman"
I no longer want to exist for a version of myself that isn't self satisfied knowing I am happy now in life
Because I know in death my mind will be just as quiet as it is here
I just hope that then, I'll still be able to hear your soft breathing in my ear

~~~

I would like to preface this by saying that I am white, and non religious, I have never followed Islam or Christianity. However, I aim to be respectful and accurate to what I have researched thus far. That being said, if any of this is inaccurate or misleading, I do apologize and would like to know so I can correct it. The last thing I want to do is spread misinformation, especially in our current political climate.

One last thing, the context given below is not necessary in understanding the poem, HOWEVER, I find the context interesting in and of itself, but does not exclusively exist here just to define this poem. Now, if you'll let the professor in me take over:

Ok, I thought long and hard about the title, because I don't want my message to be misconstrued. The use of the word Haram is very intentional, (and not just in my usage of the concept in this poem). I chose Haram because of its translated meaning of 'forbidden'. I do use the word sin later on in this, wich I will broach upon. I do use other themes of Islam; strictly pertaining to what is 'forbidden': what is Haram. Here are a few I'd like to point out.

Humans are uncleanly in nature. This is why cleaning oneself in preparation to pray to Allah (may peace and serenity be with him) is incredibly important (the practice of cleansing oneself in preperation for prayer is called Wudu, there is another version called Ghusl but involves a seperate process and need).

Some other 'sins' I talk about are tattoos (wich goes along with uncleanliness), as well as drug use (this one I believe is up for debate considering some believe in the recreational use of spirits and such being a way to connect to God). But widely believed, the consumption of alcohol is Haram.

Exposing one's self to another. Muslim's dress modestly and respectfully when around the opposite sex, this doesn't apply in the home and around family (of the same sex). These rules of modesty are different between men and women, women having everything covered except the face, hands and feet.
(I mention this because of my word choice in "nameless". This could mean the subjects don't know eachother, but I'd like to leave that up for interpretation.)

Another 'sin' is "crossdressing" (I only put this one in quotes because in the poem I am speaking on trans-ness, my own trans-ness) In that, the existence of these characters are not defined or upheld by the rules of Islam. I find this very important to mention because I am speaking of Islamic beliefs. I feel the need to clarify my intention with involving it.

I also mention cannibalism (even tho I'm using it in a metaphorical sense). To consume the blood of another animal is Haram. When it comes to food, what is Halal (permissable), is defined by how humanely the animal is killed for consumtion. This also goes into eating animals that are carnivores is Halal (Because those animals consume blood, one in turn would be consuming another animals blood.)
Another important thing I'd like to mention: pork is Haram, this also has to do with uncleanliness. (As well as pigs are omnivores).

I would even like to mention the usage of the word "divine". (With the context of the rest of the poem being through a lense of Christianity)

I talk about self divinity as that of a "self god". In Islam, the self is divine BUT is separate from God's divinity.

Now, the last lesson. The usage of the word sin is in reference to the Bible and Christianity. This is purposeful as to pointing out a big flaw in Christianity, that being: sin is subjective; Haram is Haram. Haram (as well as sin) is also inherently human. Basically the big difference is while committing Haram, Muslims cannot truly say that they are in service to God. Where in Christianity, their religious beliefs are used and exploited to justify their 'sinning'.

That's the bell, i hope everyone took notes because I will be quizzing you tomorrow on this. On a little side tangant everything is rooted in white men and their desire for power. In a construction so hateful, I find it important to make these distinctions.

That's on roman catholicism.

~~~

One cannot simply define humanity. Yes, we can define the social concepts and ideals placed onto us by ourselves. One cannot define an animal and their existence here.

To call humans animal may feel cross, but to put us above our coexisters (as human and not animal) leaves too much room for the exploitation and abuse of other animals: As well as, other humans. (Because of the definition being rooted in one's morality. How that aligns with what the white men in power, the church, say humanity is. In this definition, seperating humans from animals allows hatefulness and discrimination on the basis of 'these people don't comply, therefore they sin, therefore they aren’t humane. They are then 'animalistic' (I would also like to mention there are racial implications that apply when it comes to the term animalistic))

To call humans animal opens up the discussion: why do WE have to be so different from them? Why can't WE exist simply? As humans; as animals.

Maybe the way to go would be to call all animals human, since I often see humanity defined as what is inherently empathetic and good. But this can easily have the opposite effect. To call all animals 'human' would then make the definition 'animalistic in nature', or what I call 'selfish'.

What makes humans human is the ability for higher emotional thinking, even though humans are able to be, most are not. This is where our 'animal' comes in.

Our selfish.

Animals as well are capable of higher emotional thinking (to an extent) but it's because of our own "intelligence" that we chose to ignore this and say "it's just an animal".

To want to be able to exist simply I feel is mostly desired by all (even if it's unrealized that there are different ways in wich a society can live and thrive). But, existing simply doesn't necessarily mean we would have to give up modern day convinces. Often when people talk about just being able to exist, it's often purposefully labled as an evil, (I hate how demonized communism is! When 'practiced' in the real world, it's often being misdefined by dictatorships) Apaerntly, this evil is someting that will destroy the peace and prosperity that we all TOTALLY experience living under the thumb of capitalism.

Can't we all just coexist?

As animals; as humans.

© ST.Mortenson