The Space Between “I” and “She”

I fill poems with “I”, “I”, “I”.

Expressing ideas, memories, and moments.

Then I use an “other”.

She writes as “other”.

Expressing ideas, memories, and moments

in third person.

It became easier for her.

When I was younger

“I” was the only voice I knew

but then I grew,

and she is able to reflect and expand

on ideas that once had no room to breathe.

She reaches for language

I wouldn’t have trusted before.

But not all “she” is “I”.

I can imagine the worst

that has never happened to me.

Giving her dark thoughts

a borrowed voice.

People worry

when she writes of

cutting, shame,

and worthlessness.

She is me,

but I am not always her.