Please select your payment method,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The machine says, softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I sit on the second floor corner<\/p>\n\n\n\n
of a government building near airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gigantic parking lot surrounded by well trimmed shrubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never knew this place existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I\u2019m shivering. My legs shaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My body was touched, gently<\/p>\n\n\n\n
by an armed guard. It\u2019s safe,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said. Next window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My feet cold on the marble tiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aren\u2019t everyone afraid of something?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My fear of being exposed,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By my not carefully concealed body,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By my broken language,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who I really am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This thing, this person, this soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who am I really. What answer do you want,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In box 6.15b?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can I surrender anything,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without knowing what it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And touching it making sure it\u2019s safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only colored thing in this building,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is a Coca Cola vending machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In front of the room where they took<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A photo of me. This, me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m lost. Where am I anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not eligible for a Real ID.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Please select your payment method, The machine says, so … <\/p>\n