Monday, 27 February 2017

Transphobia (February 27, 2017)

I stand
Before you
At the crossroads
Of our friendship.

Scared
Shitless
How you'll react
To my true self.

Knowing
Past attempts
At being open
Like this.

Have spiraled downwards
Into a dark 
And suicidal depression
At being rejected.

Of your strong
Conservative religious
Beliefs.

That place
Lesbian relationships
As a mortal sin
To my soul.

Never mind
My crossing
Of the gender divide
As well.

Knowing
You could
So easily hurt me
With your anger.

Both emotionally
And physically.

And yet
Refuse
To let my fears
Control my life
Like some drone
On autopilot.

Been there
Done that
Got the t-shirt
To prove it.

Therisa © 2017

Author's note: Wish I could say, that I had a positive experience, in opening up and sharing myself,
but this person's beliefs proved to be too strong, to overcome their religious fears, about me.
As they grew more distanced from me, over time, until I broke off, our friendship.

16 comments:

Susan said...

I LOVE this poem detailing a fear many have come to know with outcomes of dread. I should have worn that T-shirt once upon a time. Wow! Publish this poem far and wide.

Therisa's World said...

Thank you, Susan, when I read your intro, for this week motif, I thought, "oh crap, I have really missed the boat, with this poem." AS publishing this poem, it's on the web, so anyone can access it, should they want to.

Thotpurge said...

Got the t-shirt
To prove it.
...wow that is a great message on fear and courage.

Susan said...

There is no doubt that in this poem you have a truth about fear! More than one.

Mary said...

Unfortunately, those 'conservative religious beliefs' are synonymous with 'closed mind.' I think this poem speaks to many...we all have to keep on fighting for our own authenticity which is all we truly have!

Therisa's World said...

Thank you, Thotpurge. That section of verse, was my add on to, I guess, an old American saying, "Been there, Done that", which originates, from the 1970's.

Therisa's World said...

In many ways, I wish I didn't know these truths, Susan.

Sumana Roy said...

really love the narrator's voice here...fear is an enemy we have to overpower...

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Some friendships are not worth keeping. May you find one that truly is!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

It takes strength and courage to state one's truth - and if the other person cant accept it, wisdom to walk away. A powerful write, Therisa. I agree with Mary about the closed minds. Far too many of them around.

Therisa's World said...

Thank you, Sumana, wish I wasn't writing, from personal experience, here.

Therisa's World said...

I have, MMT, this friend has seen me, at my worse, both emotionally and physically. It was this friend, who helped to rebuild myself, after my mom's rejection, in July 2006.

Therisa's World said...

Mary, is possible for this, to ever change? That these closed minds will accept people, like myself, as a person, and not, as an abomination, condemned to Hell.

Therisa's World said...

I know, Sherry, I know.

Mary said...

I hope so!! Our country HAD been making progress until this last election & the hate-mongers found their way in! Sigh.

Therisa's World said...

Here's hoping that Trump's policies are modified, by time and the checks and balances that are built, into the justice and legislative systems.

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