When my son was four, he asked
“And what if I myself was a brand?”
In rejecting a gathering
where people meet face to face to have conversations,
Administrators reason to me:
“We are just now building our brand.”

I give images of my inner life
To the tech bros.
Mediate me.
Is my skin adequately sizzled?
I will only use the most attractive fonts now, I promise!

At every juncture, I will optimize.
Promote myself.
I rebrand, again.
Alone on my laptop, my reputation keeping me company.

*****

And what if we, ourselves, unbrand, unbound,
Underground.

You won’t know us.
We won’t be known

Except to each other.

Let’s meet somewhere outside.
Let’s listen
To whatever fucking sounds we hear.
Maybe a creek over rocks.

Maybe we can play cards.