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| A portrait of Lili Elbe by Gerda Wegener, a watercolour from 1928 Credit: Wellcome Library, London |
Like a child
Scared
I did pose
My love.
Never realizing
The catalyst
It would prove
For us.
In awaking
Our inner self
To each other.
Never knowing
It would tear us
Apart.
Although
Death is nigh
For me.
I must live
My life
As a woman
In all aspects.
By ending
This lie
I'm male.
As your paintings
Does show.
Am sorry
Gerda
My love.
Therisa © 2016
Author's note: For those, who don't know me, I'm a transsexual lesbian, who been out of
the closet to my family, since July 1, 2006, when I, disastrously outed
myself, to my mom, on Canada Day. Let's just say, she wasn't very
supportive, of the ideal, of having an eldest daughter, instead of, a son.
As a result, I nosedived, into a very dark and black depression that
almost cost me, my life, as a result. Have since, broken off, all
contact, with my immediate family.
The film, The Danish Girl, is a fictionalized account of Lili Elbe's transition, from Einar Wegener to Lili Ilse Elvenes. And, the love affair, Lili had with her wife, Gerda, spanning several decades, during the early 20th century. Although, it's never said, outright, in the movie, but Lili died, from organ rejection, as the drugs to counter this, weren't available, until 1980. I wonder, if it's possible to transplant female organs, with the consent, of these families, of death women (who have signed organ donor cards), given the level of today's technology, compared to the early 1930s.
The film, The Danish Girl, is a fictionalized account of Lili Elbe's transition, from Einar Wegener to Lili Ilse Elvenes. And, the love affair, Lili had with her wife, Gerda, spanning several decades, during the early 20th century. Although, it's never said, outright, in the movie, but Lili died, from organ rejection, as the drugs to counter this, weren't available, until 1980. I wonder, if it's possible to transplant female organs, with the consent, of these families, of death women (who have signed organ donor cards), given the level of today's technology, compared to the early 1930s.
Please click, on the following links, for more information, about Lili Elbe and the truth, behind the movie, The Danish Girl:
14 comments:
One of your best poems, Therisa. You have captured their story to perfection in these lines. I love it. The Danish Girl impacted me profoundly, too. I chose the same prompt, a few lines from what I imagined to be each of their perspectives. Thanks for taking part, kiddo.
Thank you, Sherry. Only after, I did a little digging that I realized, how much of The Danish Girl is fictionalized, and why the bashing scene, didn't ring true to me. As the source material, for the movie was a fictionalized account, of Lili's story. Although, it doesn't lessen the impact, Ms Elbe had me, just sadden, they couldn't be more true, to the reality, she faced.
This is amazing.. I can feel your own story ripple in the story of Lily and Gerda... I have not seen the film but it's a story that has all the elements of a classic tragedy...
It's terrible when we show ourselves as we are, just to have our trust shoved down our throats by people who are supposed to love us. It takes such bravery and dedication to be who we are regardless of what others think we should feel. The goodness of your soul sparkles through the timid sadness of these lines--the speaker is the one who was hurt, and she is still asking for forgiveness.
Those who no longer have you in their lives have lost at lot. Let's just hope they figure that out before it's too late.
Powerful piece, Therisa, and your postscript makes it even more so. ♥
P.S. Forgot to say thank you for the note about The Danish Girl. I feel terribly ashamed to say that I had no idea what the story was about. But I've just added the novel to the top of my reading list, and will watch the movie after I read it. I suspect your poem will be in my thoughts while I experience the book and film.
I'm glad my challenge brought you some inspiration. I liked the movie a lot, and like the art even more. In the end, love is love, isn't it?
A touching painting, and a very moving love between them. Your poem captures all the ironies, and the deep truth.
Great poem! I admire the raw honesty in it.
Thank you, Bjorn, for your very generous words. If possible, I rather you read, Man to Woman, which is based upon Lili's own dairy of this period, for a more accurate accout.
Your welcome, Magaly, and enjoy yourself, with the novel.
Yes, Fireblossom, despite what some bigot may preach, at us.
Magaly, I was writing this poem, from the perspective of Lili, to her former lover and wife, Gerda. And thank you, for your very kind and generous words, to me. Sadly, being different, means we must bear an extra weight that others don't understand or what to.
Thank you, Rosemary. Do so wish, that Gerda and Lili, could have been able to share that love, beyond the physical limits that society places, upon us.
Thank you, Susie. Just how the words spoke to me.
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