gender – One Woman's Quest

On Gender

Does the moon envy
sun’s glorified reign –
(gender inferred)

Sons were sun
in my family,
we women lunar

Father straddled
the two – a secret
we fought to suppress

Fluidity of pronouns
non-existant
in formative years.

(Image my own)

Intensity grips the bat-
grit interwoven with anxiety

Nothing less than a home run
wins approval in this boy’s game

The lone girl, I am aflame
with rage of inequality

(Took a coveted bat and
tight fist to get me here)

Dig my feet in and stare down
the pitcher, ready to ignite the field.

(Image my own)

Imagine befriending genius –
accepting social awkwardness
embracing habitual quirks as
incubation for enlightenment.

If I could strip down, release
preconceived notions, agendas,
lie naked, exposed, in shallow
waters, intimately entwined,

unencumbered by sexuality
or gender protocols, I would
shake this sensual impotency –
become one with creativity.

As my father, wounded, I
am inhibited by my feminine,
opting for compliance over
strength, a conditioned identity.

His mystery extends, flawless
sculpting, archetypal secrets,
pretense proclaiming normalcy,
usurping vitality, genius stifled.