Hope is
Fragile flower
Pushing its way
Through life's rubble
Precariously.
In seeking love
That heals
And binds us
As one.
Knowing
One moment
Changes everything.
As we gather
On November 20th
Day of Transgender
Remembrance.
Honouring those
Hastily taken
By ignorance/hate
This past year.
Candlelight vigil
Speaking those names
Out loud
Forever silenced
As tears flow.
Single step
In healing process
For our shared community
Trans and cisgender.
(Shall you join us
Please remember
No cameras/recording devices
Thank you.)
Breaking barriers
Reminding us
Struggle for acceptance
Never over.
Winter’s darkest days
Stand before us
U.S. President Trump vowing
Legally defining us
Out of existence.
Leader of the free world
Indeed.
Not first
Nor last time
Our rights denied.
And yes
Mr President
Everyone is responsible
For their spoken
And written words.
Especially those
Inspiring others
To use force
Despite your claims
Otherwise.
Therisa © 2018
Author's note: I wish to thank the generous support of Mary Kling (https://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com), Sherry Marr (https://stardreamingwithsherrybluesky.blogspot.com) and Rosemary Nissen-Wade (https://enheduannasdaughter.blogspot.com), who beta read this poem, offering suggestions for improvement and personal encouragement. All three women, are gifted poets, in their own right. Please support them, by reading their poetry and leaving your comments behind.
For more information about your local Day of Transgender Remembrance ceremonies, please contact your local LGBTQ+ centre.
For more information about your local Day of Transgender Remembrance ceremonies, please contact your local LGBTQ+ centre.
November 10-20th, is one of the darkest period of the year, for myself, as I struggle with the beginning of SAD, for this fall/winter season. While observing important remembrance dates and personal anniversaries that hit me hard, every year. It's this reason, I call November, the month of death.
Undertaking the process of transitioning, is a lifequest that the ciscommunity doesn't really understand the ramifications of our needs. Knowing, we're crossing boundaries and taboos that many cultures and societies are struggling to address. Even within gay and lesbian communities, this is reflexive of the issues, facing trans/cisgender people.
Before anyone thinks, the LGBTQ+ community is, one huge homogeneous group, we're not. Too often, the transcommunity has been the sacrificial lamb, in the passage of gay/lesbian legal and constitutional rights. Often, leaving us, with the bitter taste of betrayal and frustration.
Please don't label the entire ciscommunity, as being totally transphobic. Some of our strongest defenders and fighters, are found here, whether straight or gay/lesbian. Going places, denied to us, for political and economic reasons.
For them, I am entirely grateful for their support. Knowing, I wouldn't be, in this time or place, to write about my own experiences and thoughts, as a Canadian, who is transgender. Fearing the growing backlash that's emerging from the United States and other countries, who have political extremist heads of government. May we avoid a repeat of the 1930s, in the subjectation of minority groups, like the LGBTQ+ community.
For the record, The Rose is one of those song that I can't listen to, without seriously crying, anytime, I hear it. Having been sung at several funeral and memorial services, I have attended. Another song is Up Where We Belong.
