Lisa Birman: The Vote

I am used to a strong arm
a map divided by lines and by colours
a map being a person
both being
man-made

I am used to a question
not being a question
a person being a question
this is not a matter of right and wrong
this is not a matter of borders

I am used to the idea of a wall
and also of marriage
the choice of a body
inside a body
curtains that close

I am used to the dryness of soil
the necessity of a coastline
that some move towards water
that some move away

I am used to apologies
the obligations of the living
of knowing and not knowing
the spaces between

I am used to paperwork
I am used to fibrous tissues
I am used to wanting and not wanting
to know