inside, code subverts itself, gives in to giving in, organs
corrupting. my own state cannot maintain governance.
allow me to create room for an other’s occupancy
as they travel toward me on a sea of ice. their own war
they’ve endured. now they share in mine: solidarity is acceptance
of burden, difference, similarity. this is a de-territorialization
of self, allow refuge for those who give, seek peace, borders
cut open to allow us to live. together, we create asylum.

just as all heroes do not wear capes, not all angels have wings.

final moments ascend like life from their skin,
how a stranger now
……………………………resides inside………… welcome.

**

Scott-Patrick Mitchell was Highly Commended in the 2024 Blake Poetry Prize and was a 2022 Red Room Poetry Fellowship. Their debut poetry collection Clean (Upswell Publishing, 2022) was shortlisted for The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, The WA Premier’s Book Awards and The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. SPM is a queer non-binary immigrant who lives and writes on Whadjuk Noongar Country.

Author’s photo by David Cox Media.

P76 issue 9: Poetries of place/ displacement/ diaspora/ odyssey: On-line Edition. Table of Contents