Both feet
Firmly anchored
In the gender divide
Expressing ourselves
Who we are.
To some
We're seen
As an abomination
Or worse.
Meant
To be destroyed
With extreme prejudice
No question asked.
Like the national
Past time
Of (ice) hockey
Or lacrosse.
Ignoring
The very facts
Before them.
We're human
Too.
Only wanting
To live our lives
In peace
As women.
Therisa © 2017
Author's note: *Winkte (also spelled wíŋtke) is the contraction of an old Lakota word, Winyanktehca, meaning "wants to be like a woman." Winkte is a social category in Lakota culture, of male-bodied people who adopt the clothing, work, and mannerisms that Lakota culture usually considered feminine. (http;//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Although my ethnic heritage is, of European descent, I find myself, identifying with Canada's First Nations, and their struggle to claim their culture and heritage, which has been brutally stripped away, over the past 500 + years. Especially, with the reemergence of "Two Spirit", within their culture and society, as a whole, as part of the healing process, in ending the genocide, waged against them, by the "Crown" and other agents, for the government and people of Canada.
As we walk, our journey of healing, together, as one people. Brothers and sisters, learning to love ourselves, once more.
