A Journey from "She" to Me

This is a poem about aspects of my journey to my authentic self as a nonbinary individual.

In every space and every moment

They sit alone in their shame and cry.

People keep calling them "she"

But that doesn't feel quite right.

They say, "she is only 8 years old

Far too young to possibly know."

Everybody silenced their voice

Stripped them of their freedom and choice

Left them alone to die

Unless "she" wanted to live that lie

For many long years they played the part of "she"

Everyday dying a little bit more.

They were living a life of deception

And such a life is an exhausting chore.

At 23 "she" publicly switched to they

Hoping that would finally be ok.

But still many tried to silence that voice,

To strip them of their freedom and choice.

Tried to force them to die.

They needed "her" to live that lie.

They couldn't be silenced forever,

Their authenticity deserved to be free.

They wouldn't be silenced forever,

Because "she" was never me.

The real me deserves their voice

And to have it be heard.

This is my life and my choice,

Others don't get the final word.