Week 38 - One must imagine Azazel grocery shopping

A manifesto/poem written by a collection of queer trans authors situated in the Inner West of Sydney. 15th of September, 2024

One must imagine Azazel grocery shopping

I like to imagine they were on a date.
Smiling sweetly at a person who can now celebrate
a body that works
that functions
that puts a foot before another
without the feeling
the wonder
if the pain would surface

I imagine them giggling sweetly to themselves.
Passing whispers between mouthfuls
of delicacies and sweets
their body would have rejected
so long ago

I imagine them swimming.
Their body floating over seas
and diving between endless waves
thick seaweed tangled through braids
that they did themselves

I imagine them bruising their knees.
Embracing that all anyone really needs
is good old-fashioned
childish fun

I imagine them crying.
Their face contorted by the pain
only humans deeply flawed
and untamed
can feel

I imagine them grocery shopping.
Moving from aisle to aisle
smiling from ear to ear
that its all over
and the war is done