It surprises me
That, for a 12 year old,
How mature I was at the time
When Eli said:
"I wouldn't know which one to do
Either me (touching her nose)
Or me" (touching her chest,
the way they do in Japan,
which is dependent on gender)
I thought nothing of it
At the time
And when I saw her on Canada Day
this year
And she remembered me
I wondered if she'd remembered
that conversation
too
Probably not.
I'd like to talk to her again
And see what she'd say now
It's not that I'm nosy
Or curious
Or trans (which Eli didn't seem to be at all)
It's just that I want to know how she deals with being different
Author notes
According to a group of Japanese Girl Guides who came to my camp when I was 12, there are two ways to refer to yourself as "me" - if you are male you point to your chest, and if you are female you point to your nose.
UPDATE: THIS POEM IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!!
Written June 13th, 2004
A contest entry
- Gay Pride by Saknika.
300 points, ended April 14, 2005, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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thoughtful
Tis is a quiet piece of art.
I couldn't but read it in a tender low voice..
so meaningful, makes you think
Great job darl, I really like this one -
There's a tender quality to this poem. Good job!
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i still love this poem
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This is interesting. It makes me think. Thanks for sharing. I loved the last line. It said so much. Congrads on being published.
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i really liked this poem. i thought it really portrayed the authors feelings well. i like how she uses how the japanese refer to male or female.
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Congarts on your upcoming publication!
It's always exciting when that happens. When/where is it going to be published? I'd love to get a copy or a website link to see it. Congrats again- that is awesome. 
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This is such a great poem! I really loved it! And, it happens to be the very first poem I ahve ever seen about transgenders. This is such an inspiring piece. Thank you for sharing it. I wish the best of luck to the person of whom this was written for. And congratulations on having it published!!! Good luck and thanks for entering.
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fascinating... really it is, i've never heard of the two "me"s. poetically speaking it was very well done. i can't think of a single thing i would change here. and congrats on getting published!
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Very nice. I understood and and complment it well. Good job!
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Call me simple-minded, but this poem confused me. Oh well. Some parts I understand, other parts, I'm totally lost on their relevance. Lol, I really am simple-minded. Oh well.
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awww, i love it! its real pretty and demonstrates the human metamorphisis from childhood to maturity. very touching in my opinion. may you have many great days
~*Love Spirit* -
Very very interesting. Of course, moments of our youth, are often filled with forgotten precious moments. I'm glad you have not forgotten this one.
It also has such a deep under current to it, the delimina's and differences of culture... the naviety or youth... the connections between one human and another. The fragility of it all.
I liked these lines best:
~~I wondered if she'd remembered
that conversation
too
Probably not. ~~
They really seemed to sum the whole poem up for you. Nice work. -
great write.
wow. this is a well written poem. how awsome is this poem. its cool. i thought my dilemas were hard. it is hard being different. keep penning -
homey
I love this! The form, the content, all wonderful. I love the story it tells. It's such a . . . homey piece. I know that's a strange word for poetry, but it's just so warm and cozy and friendly -- yes, a very close, friendly piece of poetry that you've shared here. This poem itself feels like . . . home . . . in the most perfect way. Great write.
~Andy -
A short story? Really? hrm...any ideas how i could elaborate? Thanks for the suggestion!
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The Japanese culture is self-motivated and mesmerizing. I ate some Japanese food, which was pretty decent. This poem could be a great beginning or an outline to incredible so much more.... like maybe a short story.. You have a nice way of putting words together.
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Interesting sort of poem, touching on youth and how an event in the past has significantly influenced you. There seems to be a lot of confusion there, and it interests me that you knew someone who lived a life where they had a gender curiosity...and how you thought nothing of it at the time.
Very interesting. I like it a lot. -
Interesting. I really liked that. The unassuming style and normal way it treats everything. Very cool. Excellent writing.
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