What Defines You*

Editing video today

I caught a glimpse of myself

at 10 or 11

a round thing

more likely to roll than walk

—like Thud Butt in Hook.

I grew up, though

and I listen to interviewers ask

“So when’s the first time you had sex?”

The responder will say 12 or 13 if black

And 24 if white and formerly fat

In the video I’m holding onto my brother

The same one I’d hit for sport

when the need arose.

I’m hugging his skinny body and he’s taking it

As if he knows

It’s all I’ll ever get.

*Posted this one on my old Tumblr previously.