I am not You
they say
You and I are separate entities
disconnected
by our
skin
hair
lips
nose
eyes
breasts and vaginas
penises and scrota
languages, accents and cultures
names, wealth and histories
You and I
are divorced on the grounds of colour
colours once prescribed
forced
I am so different to You
they say
our differences outweigh any commonalities
our equal and shared humanity
what is the joy of laughter compared to skin
what is the pain of rejection compared to colour
what is true love compared to penises and vaginas
acceptance compared to wealth and control
I am more than You
they say
our differences prove that I am more
innocent
deserving
entitled
capable
hard-working
intelligent
forgivable
loving
sophisticated
I am more civilised, they say, more worthy
more human
I versus You
they say
the world’s resources are finite
we must, of course, stand in opposition to each other
always
in conflict
at war
hot or cold
more for you
more
voice
land
influence
wealth
means
less for me
now and forever
You must lose comparatively more than I
for me to be safe
comfortable
and happy
You
cannot
be free
not like
me
I am not You
I am so different to You
I am more than You
I
I
I
versus
You
You
You
they say
I say it too
as will my sons and daughters
and theirs too
but
is it true
this
I
not
You
when
I
live and die
and always have
just
like
You
