epilogue

[joel]

Go on and strike me; strike me harshly and
then see if I don’t wait another strike—
you cannot beat me hard enough to beat
my will. I, hear, implore you: strike me more—
for if I yelp for gashes, if I groan
for reddest fires ignited, I will cry
and you will know I do not cry for you.
I cry for me. –for me! And this is true,
if nothing else I claim is true, that I
take ownership of this, my life. I own
my voice as my own power, soul— and, sure
as anything, my best resistance. Greet
me with the voice I raise; and when you strike
me, I’ll not hesitate to meet your hand.

[stilltrucking]

Visceral