Respect each other’s boundaries.

Stay out of each other’s personal space.

This is what people are supposed to do.

This is what people are supposed to have.

Limits. Borders. Edges.

We are supposed to be maps, 

regions outlined and defined,

Clear and distinct and simple,

easy to understand. 

But how can I have personal space

when every place is personal,

and every place causes pain?

How can I have safe territory

when I am constantly being conquered 

and colonized by things beyond my control,

when there is nothing I can control,

not even my own body?

How can people respect my boundaries

when the entire world is a boundary

that I cannot stand to cross,

when I am a boundary,

and to live is to be violated,

over and over again?

How can I be easy to understand 

when I cannot even understand myself?