Foundation

Is this gender stuff boring you yet? Lol.

Convictions were stolen away

One by one, like plucking cherries

For an in-coming winter.

 

They had been borrowed, but all the same

There was no need to deny a child

The chance to self-fulfil

Some withheld biological prophecy.

 

And now that grown child paces anxiously,

Confused in the only arena where ownership is granted.

 

Adrift in its own mind

On a raft of spongy self-image,

Faulty design absorbing social criticism,

Flooding all hope for contentment.

 

Strength stems from experience,

Something the infant lacks

And achieves in exchange for innocence.

 

So how to fight, when the actual battle was kept secret?

 

However unusual the kid believes itself to be,

Still mistook height for absolute authority.

 

The span of indoctrination

Seems to determine level of recovery;

A lifetime of reprimand indicating no chance

Of recovering, in-tact,

The skeletal self.

 

Author's Note

Something about this seems really flawed; it might be personal, but if not, please let me know what you think is wrong. Thanks.

Reviews

[Emily B]

Here's to recovery. You do very well with others voices and empathizing with the other gender. I can imagine these thoughts as my own. A few years ago of course.

[Bubo]

However unusual a kid

She believes herself to be

She still

Mistook height

For absolute authority

This is powerful stuff..................and so true!! But you word it so I am wishing I wrote it myself!
The last stanza sums it up...........the skeleton beneath is there , but only holding a false image of the skin..........and of course my daughter comes to mind............this is a very strong piece from you, very honest and a deeply intense emotional write.
Its sad how parents, education and such make hide away, rather than deal with issues.