Do we ever know
If this face before us
Is the reflective image
Staring back?
So many years
Obsessively vision driven
Blinded by this quest
Fitting society’s rigid
Gender definition.
How one dress
And present themself
To the wider world
Expressing gender.
Where one's individuality
And nonconformity
Only grudgingly accepted
Within narrow parameters
That doesn't cause ambiguity.
As if
Dissension is
Mortally wrong
To voice.
Of a worldview
Limited to black and white
Never to grays.
For this
Public shaming/shunning
Are the awards
Handed out.
Often done
Without realizing
The destructive damage
Their impact has.
Therisa © 2019
Author’s note: I had written the first 3 stanzas of this poem, when I came across this op-ed
piece, in The Guardian for January 2, 2019:
piece, in The Guardian for January 2, 2019:
Personally, I can relate to what Allison Gallagher is writing about, as I had a similar
discussion with a former tenant of my apartment building, Lori (butch lesbian), who
has since died.
discussion with a former tenant of my apartment building, Lori (butch lesbian), who
has since died.
Sigh.
1 comment:
There is so much judgment based on appearances which are so surface, in our society. Your poem helps address this issue. We need to be much more sensitive to each other. Well said, Therisa.
Post a Comment