There is something so beautiful about reaching out to the monstrous with intent to touch it gently. To risk the sharp teeth and the lethal claws, to defy fear and revulsion, and choose to be delicate with something that can be, and often is, incredibly brutal.
'boundaries' as the dignity of a human being and their personhood, autonomy and inherent right to live being eroded and destroyed. lila thrown out of a window as a child for demanding to go to school. pasquale's father being thrown against a wall for demanding justice after mafiosi stole his shop. the neighbourhood itself as the thing that shaves down your dignity. poverty and capitalism and fascism and misogyny all fused together to create a different beast, and that beast eats away at your boundaries slowly slowly slowly. pasquale's mama in the bathroom after a lifetime of sorrow and horror. the children are outside singing. do you remember? she painted her nails red. 'dissolving boundaries' as the body's response to abuse in its every form, individual and societal. and so the person within the body becomes undone. loosens. nothing firm remains. like oil like water. lila cerullo.