i want to take my clothes off in front of you / then my skin too / toss it aside rumpled & empty
i want to take my clothes off in front of you
then my skin too
toss it aside rumpled & empty
i want to lay what i reveal in front of you
& have you love it
because it's me
& you find a way to love me
you told me to worry about people like me
so i worried about myself
you told me to fear people like me
so i feared what i might become
you told me to hate people like me
so i cut myself in half like a pig on the killing floor
i dug my hands in ripping nerve & tissue looking for that one piece my tearing fingers could extirpate that would make me whole
i found it
& it was not what you wanted it to be
it was everything you told me
here i am
every child i've ever been is layered around me like snake skins i never shed
help me take them off like you're touching my cheek for the first time
tell me you aren't going anywhere
tell me i'm okay
tell me you love me even more now
with no buttons, no zipper to secure myself back inside
i'll never wear myself the same with you
About the author: I am a gay man, a father, a writer, and a friend to many. I have been active in the anti-contact MAP community since 2022. I have served as a moderator on both VirPed and MSC, was active on reddit until my account was banned, have appeared on podcasts, networks with clinicians, and do countless other things that I find it difficult to keep track of. I hope that my contributions help pave the way for a brighter future for the coming generation. | 
