Activist Androgyny
Something a little different
I’ve shared some very personal things here on Substack, but nothing has felt as nerve-racking to put out in the world as this piece does. Maybe it’s my fear that things have gone beyond the point of reconciliation, or maybe poetry is just a more vulnerable format. In any case, I’ve been playing around with this for nearly a year, and it seems more and more apt for the gender-related political situation every day… so here it is!
Activist Androgyny by Shrimp When I sat down and begged and wept For answers on my shoulders crept Two angels, both them right and wrong Each beckoned to me, come along They rubbed their hands with stifled glee One shrieked, a debt you owe to me For all you’ve done and all you’ve taken For all the goodness you’ve forsaken And all those crushed inside your wake And all the things that are at stake It’s all about much more than you You must affirm, you must approve So you atone for what you’ve done You’re hurting me and everyone The other said without delay In similarly frantic way For all you’ve done and all you’ve taken Now inside you must awaken Rage and anger, scorn and wrath So no one else falls down this path So ruinous — just look at you Your duty now is to undo All that you can of what you’ve done You’re hurting me and everyone A debt I owed and so I spoke With honesty to average folk Begged for reason, called out lies I tried to plead for compromise Amalgamate? the angels scoffed Enraged they threw their halos off A debt I owe, but to myself I live for me, and no one else My life is not a warning sign My purpose here’s not to align with those who want much more than me: A prop to prop up misery
I like it, Shrimp! You've captured the impossible position of being pulled and prodded to atone for something, whether transition or detransition. It must really suck to be treated this way. Thank you for putting this out there.
Dear Shrimp,
Wow, what an excellent poem.
As for your sentiment at the conclusion—true, you don’t owe the world your experiences as a detransitioner.
None of us are required to be public people. We do often need to make amends to people we know—that is a good practice for all of us.
I am in awe of the few public detransitioners that we see. Not many people would want to do this. I am thankful that their testimonies are making a difference. Has the trans medicalization issue become political? Yes, it has as the medical/psychological societies created this mess and have not stepped in to police it.
You are making a difference by sharing your thoughts.
Thank you—wishing you many supportive friends and readers.