L.M. Rivera

An Exceedingly Agreeable Man

the double isn’t

a separated whole—

two systems

in a single body—

the double divides itself

in the judgment of the observer

but remains unitary—

I place a distorted shape

before the eye—

I remain

unto myself—

neither is the observer divided

nor am I divided—

we stay

as we are—

all that is doubled

is shadow—

if shadow can be said

to be divided—

Fyodor was too easy on us—

rather than pushed or pulled,

we push or pull—

we carry the long string that severs…