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ESSAY ON WHAT IS & ISN'T by Cameron Awkward-Rich

  • Sep 27, 2016
  • 1 min read

to c.e.

When a man says knife

is no form of seduction

he means he’s never been

split. But doesn’t everyone

have a seam? Unravel

to dark sugar?

//

He tore a hole where there was

no hole, a dagger flat

against my tongue. Was it

violence? Yes. Also

I found a name then, became

stranger to everyone but me.

When a hole is open, anyone can use it.

I can cleave, push inside.

//

Once, I only ate what wouldn’t

nourish. I had one mouth. Grew

thin as a wire. Boy,

in the beginning, a blade

severed the line, made you

a body & isn’t that

when you learned hunger?

Cameron Awkward-Rich is the author of Sympathetic Little Monster (Ricochet Editions, 2016) and the chapbook Transit (Button Poetry, 2015). A Cave Canem fellow and poetry editor for Muzzle Magazine, Cam's poems have appeared/are forthcoming in The Journal, The Offing, Vinyl, Nepantla, Indiana Review, Drunken Boat, and elsewhere. Cam is currently a doctoral candidate in Modern Thought & Literature at Stanford University and has essays forthcoming/in Science Fiction Studies and Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society.


 
 
 

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Abhinav kumar
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Oct 31, 2025

Cameron Awkward-Rich’s “Essay on What Is & Isn’t” is a powerful exploration of identity, perception, and the complexity of being human. The poem delves into what defines us and what doesn’t, challenging societal boundaries and internal struggles. It beautifully questions how the world chooses to see individuals versus how they see themselves, making it deeply relatable and thought-provoking. Awkward-Rich’s words remind us that authenticity lies beyond labels and external judgments. Just as the essay celebrates individuality and breaking traditional molds, in the business world too, innovation comes from embracing diversity and unique perspectives. At Ebizfiling, we understand that global entrepreneurs seek freedom to express their ideas and establish ventures in India. That’s why we simplify Company Registration in India by foreigners,…

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Oct 29, 2025

Cameron Awkward-Rich’s “Essay on What Is & Isn’t” is a powerful exploration of identity, existence, and the nuances of self-definition. Through profound language and emotional honesty, the poet invites readers to question societal labels and the limitations they impose on who we are allowed to be. The poem beautifully illustrates that identity is not fixed—it’s fluid, evolving, and deeply personal. Awkward-Rich’s reflection on what “is” and “isn’t” challenges us to embrace authenticity over conformity, making this work not only poetic but transformative.

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