This was exceptional. I think I restacked every other bar 😂. Like, my mans just said a shared placenta to every secret 😩⚡️.
Also I totally relate to the alias fragmentality — Tabitha Blair, Tab, Auntie Tabby, Rudegal Tab, Oya…..I have many characters that serve different purposes, borne from a shared experience of being wholly digestible in pieces.
Like everything you write, ARC, it inspires action in me - I'm sitting paralysed with a numbing darkness today - as is the way sometimes, and I find your essay after much scrolling, and finally I feel able to type something in response. The many parts of you are so different yet so relatable to the many parts of me, and the way you can self-reflect is something I envy to the extreme. You have jump-started a waterlogged brain today, and for that, I thank you, deeply thank you.
This is so very beautiful. The first three paragraphs alone. I can almost feel the girl watching me. A road map for us readers of yours to return to, I think..
Yeah, waiting until EOD to read this was probably the right thing to do. This was out-fucking-standing. This was taking a mag's worth of ball hollows to the chest wearing class 3 plate. At the end you can't breathe, one more round and you're meat in a bag and later unzipped on a slab. Ribs all broken glass. Everything is numb shock poured latex thick over slow glowing pain. And you walk away with 17 Plum sized blackpurple bruises fading slower than hours stacking up in county and a broken sternum, testament and a ghost reminder for weeks after, forcing me to witness having read this and seen myself and nearly everyone I care about in it, in blown up metaphor, refracted light, hung word, or cutting sentence. I have thirteen names. I've lived nine lives.
its good to get everything out of your head and onto a page, isnt it. Amazing clarity too. Im fantasising you had like a eureka moment and all this flowed from you like a fountain of wisdom but probably it took you time and a half to catch the essence of those selves in such potent paragraphs.
just from the comments you can see you're speaking truths that everyone feels something of within themselves. that's the absolute business we are in.
I can feel that this piece will sit with me for a very long time. No one needs to tell you that this is excellent, but I'm doing it anyways: this is excellence.
I suspect you put everything into this one, and it shows. My god man! I am reminded of this: "Your shit is our shit now," but specifically, it's YOURS.
Congratulations on this piece. It’s the kind of work that lingers, formless in the best way, like a mask that reveals more than it hides. It reminded me of Borges, and that Wilde quote echoed: "Give a man a mask, and he will tell you the truth." You’ve done that here.
I can't keep up with all of your posts on here but every once in a while I click on the email that pops up. I didn't even have time to read deeply but I think this is one of the best things I've ever read from you (over 20? years). Succinct but deep and pointed. Will come back to it. This paragraph gave me chills.
Finally, at the far edge of the shattered image, stood my mirror-self—my double. His gaze was accountability, a shared placenta to every secret. He kept the score, echoing every failure and triumph. He was there to ensure I never forgot myself.
You have come such a long way and are so clearly working tirelessly to get better and better. So wonderful to witness it.
Thank you so much, my dear friend. That means so much to hear. I always appreciate your attention and support and assistance in my journey these 20 years.
The concrete examples of Roth and Jay-Z are inspiring. I can see why they spoke to you and your selves. This piece is a powerful statement about a writer’s drive to express and/or make sense from different perspectives.
Your list of selves is a formidable and fascinating lineup. I’m eager to know how many of them I’ll get to meet in your novel!
And how many of them will get to meet each other?!
This was exceptional. I think I restacked every other bar 😂. Like, my mans just said a shared placenta to every secret 😩⚡️.
Also I totally relate to the alias fragmentality — Tabitha Blair, Tab, Auntie Tabby, Rudegal Tab, Oya…..I have many characters that serve different purposes, borne from a shared experience of being wholly digestible in pieces.
Thanks for sharing! 🫶🏼
Thank you so much, Tabitha. I can totally see that power in your werk.
Like everything you write, ARC, it inspires action in me - I'm sitting paralysed with a numbing darkness today - as is the way sometimes, and I find your essay after much scrolling, and finally I feel able to type something in response. The many parts of you are so different yet so relatable to the many parts of me, and the way you can self-reflect is something I envy to the extreme. You have jump-started a waterlogged brain today, and for that, I thank you, deeply thank you.
Thanks SM
No, thank you. Needed to read that today.
I did not know Rap Fiction was a thing, but I am all for it, hell yeah, new subscriber for you
Yeah, glad to have you reading!
Love this so much. I can see myself here. And of course that painting, it’s one of my favorites. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Same way I feel listening to your werk
This is so very beautiful. The first three paragraphs alone. I can almost feel the girl watching me. A road map for us readers of yours to return to, I think..
Thanks Rose
Yeah, waiting until EOD to read this was probably the right thing to do. This was out-fucking-standing. This was taking a mag's worth of ball hollows to the chest wearing class 3 plate. At the end you can't breathe, one more round and you're meat in a bag and later unzipped on a slab. Ribs all broken glass. Everything is numb shock poured latex thick over slow glowing pain. And you walk away with 17 Plum sized blackpurple bruises fading slower than hours stacking up in county and a broken sternum, testament and a ghost reminder for weeks after, forcing me to witness having read this and seen myself and nearly everyone I care about in it, in blown up metaphor, refracted light, hung word, or cutting sentence. I have thirteen names. I've lived nine lives.
What. Comes. Next?
The next one gonna be the best one
But don’t we say this about everything we write?
Big facts
its good to get everything out of your head and onto a page, isnt it. Amazing clarity too. Im fantasising you had like a eureka moment and all this flowed from you like a fountain of wisdom but probably it took you time and a half to catch the essence of those selves in such potent paragraphs.
just from the comments you can see you're speaking truths that everyone feels something of within themselves. that's the absolute business we are in.
Great writing ! thank you for sharing that.
I appreciate you so much Nick!
You made the muppet cry.
Thank you.
I can feel that this piece will sit with me for a very long time. No one needs to tell you that this is excellent, but I'm doing it anyways: this is excellence.
Thank you so much M.P. Its always nice to hear. I put a lot into this one.
I suspect you put everything into this one, and it shows. My god man! I am reminded of this: "Your shit is our shit now," but specifically, it's YOURS.
I love the callback! I appreciate you immensely.
I’m three paragraphs in and damn. Beautiful beautiful beautiful 🙏🏽💚.
Thanks so much brother
Absolutely incredible. Like, I’ve read it three times. Just speaking to my existence like no one ever has.
im glad all of me spoke to all of you
Congratulations on this piece. It’s the kind of work that lingers, formless in the best way, like a mask that reveals more than it hides. It reminded me of Borges, and that Wilde quote echoed: "Give a man a mask, and he will tell you the truth." You’ve done that here.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment!
I want to restock every single word of this. Lordtttt. And what a powerful exercise to shatter the glass to see ourselves whole
Thank you so much for your attention to my work!
I can't keep up with all of your posts on here but every once in a while I click on the email that pops up. I didn't even have time to read deeply but I think this is one of the best things I've ever read from you (over 20? years). Succinct but deep and pointed. Will come back to it. This paragraph gave me chills.
Finally, at the far edge of the shattered image, stood my mirror-self—my double. His gaze was accountability, a shared placenta to every secret. He kept the score, echoing every failure and triumph. He was there to ensure I never forgot myself.
You have come such a long way and are so clearly working tirelessly to get better and better. So wonderful to witness it.
Thank you so much, my dear friend. That means so much to hear. I always appreciate your attention and support and assistance in my journey these 20 years.
Who made the 7? Is there an 8th? The infinite who hold all? 🙏🏽
dope questions. mgmt still working thru it all.
I feel this. Thank you.
Thank you for continuing to rock with me.
The names, yes, some people understand that they can accrue when identity is fluid.
The concrete examples of Roth and Jay-Z are inspiring. I can see why they spoke to you and your selves. This piece is a powerful statement about a writer’s drive to express and/or make sense from different perspectives.
Your list of selves is a formidable and fascinating lineup. I’m eager to know how many of them I’ll get to meet in your novel!
And how many of them will get to meet each other?!
I'm excited to share with you brother! Thanks for reading!