Apersona

I would say you’re flawless. But we all know that’s not true. So give me your flaws. Each and every one of them. So I can sort, and categorize, and judge, and in the end realize that it never even mattered. That all I really wanted was for you to show me everything. Not to hide behind what you think I want, what you think I see. Because I do see. I see you. All of you. And that’s all I ever wanted.

This poem/free write came to me many years ago, and to this day, it still rings true for me. The piece references the struggle for acceptance and authenticity in relation to one another in intimacy or society. In the years since this piece came to be, authenticity has become a central tenet of the way I try and live my life and a virtue of those I attempt to keep around me. With all of the symbols and synthetic experiences of the modern age, I believe there is a deep desire to return to authenticity. The title is a play on words, “a” as in atheist or agnostic, meaning without and “persona”, from the root person or mask or the image, idea, or idolized view of ourselves we portray to ourselves or others. “Apersona”, meaning without person or mask or caricature. Something all of us should strive for.