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Stereotypes
have always made me uncomfortable
like a diagnosis I never asked for
because I did not find myself
ill or impaired.

Stereotypes have always made me itchy
--and there is a stereotype for that--
written like a prescription from a shady doctor
with a wink and a smirk.
It's meant as a kindness,
a sort of 'get out of jail free' card
to hand to whomever may try to expect something
which my stereot-um-pardon, condition may not permit.

But all I hear is limitation spoken forcefully,
but not unquestionably
like the voice of the Wizard of Oz
after the curtain has been pulled back,
"This is who you shall be and no one else!"

Oh really?