maybe I could do it all again
and this time
remember which hands are mine.
find the cracks in the wall
and sky. don’t drink the water.
stay uncomfortable. not get used to it.
if I could just
hold the truth close to my body.
keep a handful of memories,
just enough to be less afraid.

hold onto your polaroids,
hide them in dumpsters if you have to.
somewhere they won’t think to look.
close one eye so you can see the picture
despite the glare and burn holes.
pull your punches, keep them in your bag
and keep your bag on your back
and fight for it if you have to.

pick your own pockets
when you get back.
you can...