My distress

sizzles to a crescendo

that cracks me open.

The door that held me back

disintegrates into a cloud of splinters

echoes of the sting of my mother's belt

ring down the hallway

shame swings from the nave

of words that scream

I am something wrong

the strange strain of music

that marbles the edifice of my life

the fragmentary I

strides through the door,

seeks the tattoo

that might stitch me together

my brain plays electronic dance music

synth and hip hop beats melt

into vocal sizzle and pop

I hear a voice

from an alternate self

sing the love song of me

words that affirm

it's possible to feel alright

Emily Moon (she/her) is a queer transgender poet from Portland, Ore. She is Editor at First Matter Press. She is author of "It’s Just You & Me, Miss Moon." Her work includes appearances in or forthcoming from Pile Press, Boats Against the Current, The Viridian Door, Banyan Review, The Dawn Review, Culinary Origami, and elsewhere. You can find her on Instagram @emilymoonpoet and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Emily.Moon.57/.