Anthropophobia: or, the Danger of Others

 

Let’s face it:  our primary threat is the Other.

Those alive and breathing, in need.

Replete with sense and emotions, desires.

Thoughts, feelings, and dreams.

Con-fused.

Instinct and culture,

Learning and language,

and bodies:

physiques requiring space,

ears, eyes, limbs and digits,

the nerve!(s) and bellies and hearts.

Brains complete with mind and will,

Choice and intent,

the capability to discern.

Sexual organs,

Breath-pollution.

 

Stealing glances –

the lechery of looking –

what they plunder to hear.

This multitude of selves and their interests,

their tumultuous clamor to survive

and their ubiquity:

disruption of personhoods and presence

leaving The Exit as the only escape.

 

Most dangerous, Other:

the contact, connection,

and ability to attach.

Insidious deception –

a paradox of similarity,

of kind –

some others so like

as to be indistinguishable,

from our selves.