Dedicated to a dear friend who walks with two spirits, a woman trapped inside of a man’s body, fearful that any moment his/her life will be diminished by ignorance in rural Maine. The issue is very real for her because people there are not open to change. They cling to their conservative and fanatical religious beliefs like the clan does their white sheets.

There was a brief glimmer of hope
it floated like a mist over a river
when humanity’s door briefly opened,
acknowledging the possibility of gender fluidity.
But like our fickle climate, hope vanished
and with it came a renewed surge
of hatred and entitlement. Deny or destroy
anyone that dares ask for equality.
Even the moon withheld his glowing face
as he/she contemplates the next course of action
in this vicious cycle called a transgendered life.
Darkness prevails!  The remaining shreds of hope
float away leaving only a trace of compassion
hardly noticeable in the grand scheme of things
when guns silence the masses and zealots
claim righteousness prevails.

I pray for sanity in this world.