This is not my Origin Story

i am learning
slowly
to not write you as monster.
in my dreams you have teeth that tear into flesh
and claws that separate skin
but you are not demon
(though he lives in you, as does he me)
just human.
somebody.

son
brother / employee / friend / loved
you have a name a face a body
that violated mine.
you.
knew better.
knew
me. changed me. could not own me for i am not beholden to man.

you are not the villain in my tale.
this is not my origin story.
i rewrite myself again and again
until i am the center of my universe.
i existed long before we met
and am still here after.

this poem is testament.