when i am misgendered,
beyond the sting and
the amusement and
the fear and
the numbness that follows,
i sense that
misgendering is entirely about
not me, but
the other person
and how little attention
they pay to the world around them
i have people –
from strangers to loved ones –
who see me
(in all my physical forms
i sense that
transness is Something
beyond medical
but it is worth stating that
transness is essential
to who i am
beyond the surface)
and that’s the Thing!
these people who recognize me –
who don’t misgender me –
they know me!
because transness is
woven into the fabric of the world
and they pay attention
to the world
i often say this is
one of my superpowers
as a trans person:
i sense
almost immediately
who is paying attention
and who isn’t
and i move towards
who is
Complement this poem with another work by Hal Sansone.
About the Author
hal sansone is a love poet, mystic, and pre-Nursing student with a love for trans caregiving. he currently spends his afternoons caring for dogs, cats, and critters. he spends the rest of his time existing in a vibrant and inter-dependent chosen family. he lives with two kitties – Fish, an anarchist witch, and Mr. Flamingo, her nervous but sweet protégé. he currently resides on Dakota homeland also called Minneapolis, Minnesota. he wants you to know that he loves you, whoever you are. forthcoming: featured poet (gris literatura), actor/maker in “Light My Way” (Sandbox Theatre), “winter garlic” micro chapbook (Ethel)