Photo: Tiffany Bessire

Human Nature

In response to Rave Lucid

by Asif ElAmri-Brantley

In response to Rave Lucid

We are animals

Impulsively, inexorably imitating what we observe Regardless of inaccuracies

Testing to see what sticks

Kicking like kids

Leaping like lambs

Furiously, frantically frolicking like foals Moving to prove that we are alive

Our soft bodies hurtling amongst the tumult of others Rejoicing over the fleeting moment of collision Lamenting the bruises left behind

Ricocheting until someone sticks

About

Asif ElAmri-Brantley

Asif ElAmri-Brantley is a high school senior born and raised in Nashville, he’s always been homeschooled, which means he’s been allowed to write, make art and run rampant in Tennessee’s wild places for 18 years. He wants to see more people like him in media, so his stories are full of queer, mixed-culture, chronically ill joy. In his writing he tries to capture both the world around him and the world inside his head.

Art Wire is an ongoing creative writing fellowship from OZ Arts and The Porch. Each performance season, a cohort of writers is selected via application to attend a variety of OZ Arts presentations and respond to each work through original writing that is personal, playful, and deeply engaged.

Throughout the season, original Art Wire writings will be added to this website, showcasing the inspiration and interpretations captured by this year's cohort.