I am so corroded, cracked-
bone brittle, heart sacked-
brain and bile overspent-
loose hinged joints, tired, bent.
I broke long ago,
somewhere in the past, peaked,
at the ripe age of fifteen;
and my vintage became antiqued.
So fucking angry and need sleep,
and I don’t know how to act;
what face to wear, how to be-
to pretend or risk insult just being me.
I am a tenant in my own body,
and I still owe the rent.
I am worn of the pieces,
and who knows where they went.
I am shard, chunk, fragment-
carpet bag rolled and oven trussed.
My ashes brought lower,
than the value of rust.
Charl Landsberg is a transgender South African artist, poet, musician, and writer. Their work often focusses on various issues ranging from serious issues like social justice, to fantastic work dealing in fantasy and science fiction, while sometimes just talking about the mundane and food and fun.