both as well as neither one

air
fire
water
earth
you have known them
since birth
and you know them until
death
the here after
and forever after like my panicked laughter
which you cradled and held
simply because it was me
I write what I know
and leave the rest to the universe to rehearse
playing out its ancient songs
like an old tired juke box
through scenes of distress and arrested hope
the dope
the escape
the many forms of rape
who is not a victim?
who is not a survivor?
I am both as well as neither one
I die with the sun, I flood with the rain
I remember all flavors of pain
belonging to me simply because I am you
fire water earth air