Transfiguration
Years have passed
since you emerged,
and still your wings unfold.
A dark world
would make you a victim.
Don’t live in its shadow.
Certain, within yourself,
pride is yours.
Wear it.
This is my response to dVerse Poetics: On Pride. Anmol asks us to write a poem on pride, gender fluidity, sexuality, protest, et al. I have seen how cruel the world can be and the damage it can inflict.
The recent US Supreme Court decision regarding employment discrimination, with the inclusion of LGBTQ, is a step forward. There are many more steps before us. Other poems I have written relative to this matter can be found here.
Image source: screen capture from this YouTube video (Nature in Motion).
rivrvlogr 
beautiful
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Thank you.
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“A dark world would make you a victim,” .. there is so much depth and meaning in these words! I love how this poem has multiple dimensions to it ❤️
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Thank you. This could fit many aspects of our world, even in equality.
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I agree 🙂
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Ken, this encourages me to turn inward and find the beauty praise-worthy in my current dilemma with my son (terminally ill with brain cancer, diagnosed a couple weeks ago). I emerged as “mother” when he emerged as human and we both still have some wing-unfolding to go. Every experience is a change agent, this one very challenging, but I see my role primarily as helping him accept new limits, helping him with unfinished unfolding if I can. Thank you for the inspiration in these lines. I am indeed filled with pride as his mother – I wear, witness that. Printing this to tuck into my journal as I head to Minnesota to be near my son, maybe bring him back to Texas, who knows what that unfolding will look like.
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I’m so sorry to hear this, Jazz. As a parent, I know how I would be devastated by news like this, yet know how important it is to be a source of strength.
Be safe in your travels.
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Oh, I’m so sorry, Jazz. You alluded to some bad news in a comment on one of my posts. I’m so sorry to hear this this. I can’t imagine what your son and you must be going through. I would also be devastated, and I wish you strength to help your son with this scary journey. Thinking of you. 💙
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I like your metaphors in this one!
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Thanks, Dwight.
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I very much like the assertiveness and matter-of-factness of your encouragement here, Ken. I would love to see wings unfolding in their glory wherever they are.
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Thank you, Lisa. Too many people are willing to cast a shadow on the rainbow of another.
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You are welcome.
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Your first stanza really stands out for me. A moving piece.
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Thank you, Sarah. Acceptance is a challenge that is difficult to overcome, and one that weighs heavy on those who desire it.
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As a queer person who grew up in a secluded, rural area, it’s difficult to live with pinned wings and think of it as anything other than victimhood. It took me a while to understand one does not acquiesce being by acquiescing expression, but it took me even longer to understand the toll of what was abnegated. We must all fight, since we deserve better. Not just LGBTQIA+ folks, but all of us; we need a happier, healthier future.
Thank you for your poem, Ken. Meant a lot.
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Thank you for your insight.
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It’s true, Ken, that our wings continue to unfold and, by the time we start to feel comfortable in our skins, the final flight arrives. A good reason for not living in the shadow and for wearing our pride.
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Thank you, Kim. It’s important for us to be recognized for who we are.
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Many more steps. Many of the people I know who are gay or trans still feel the need to be “careful” around strangers. I hope someday we will live in a world where that is not necessary. (K)
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I see it’s effects on people close to me, and it’s disturbing. Thank you, Kerfe.
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Very inspiring. Excellent, concise, blending form and image. Once again, a poem comes like the ringing stroke of a meditation bell. Thank you K.
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And thank you, Daniel.
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Such wonderful advice. A worthy goal, though sometimes hard won!
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Thank you. Life has enough trials. We don’t need to create more for others.
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I love the thought of such a transformation… I think there is a reason to be proud to be able to emerge a butterfly.
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Thank you, Björn. Yes, respect for that pride.
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I like the analogy of wings unfolding, and stepping out of shadows. It’s sad when people cannot be proud of who they are, but in this world, it’s not always possible to emerge.
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Thank you, Merril. We each have our own trials, yet “we” don’t hesitate to inflict trials on others.
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This is zactly and beautifully wonderful Ken.
Certain, within yourself.
big smiles!
🙂
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Thank you. 🙂
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agreed those who stand tall and proud make it easier for all those behind them!
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Thank you. 🙂
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