Published inPrism & Pen·PinnedMember-onlyI am not meA free verse poem — I am not me Rather, a short walk to the edge of a pond overhung with drooping branches of willows A reflection in the still water of a hot summer day A face looks up from the water Transformed by the inquisition of nature I look back There is no…LGBTQ1 min readLGBTQ1 min read
Published inPrism & Pen·Nov 17Member-onlyTransphobic Arguments are IncoherentExample 1 of about 7000 — Over the past year or so, I have started several essays on the broad topic of “biological sex” and transgender identity, and then set them aside for various reasons, not least among which is the fact that other writers here on Medium have made most of the points I wanted…Transphobia3 min readTransphobia3 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Jun 15Member-onlyThe Learning CurveI thought I had learned it — the edge of human decency, where the claws come out, and understanding shudders into fragments. It isn’t here, that station where the trainman says, “Last stop; everybody out.” It was actually behind me, in the distance. Now the train is gone, and uncertain…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Jun 9Member-onlyThe Difference between Man and BeastA Comic Response A few days ago my brother sent me an email with a link to the comic that appears below, asking, “What separates man from beasts? I want your take on this from a linguist’s point of view.” I had so much fun writing a response, I decided to share it…Philosophy3 min readPhilosophy3 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·May 31Member-onlySamson in Mahaneh-Dan(Excerpt from The Philistines, a work in progress) The woman bore a son, and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him. The spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. (The Holy Bible, NRSV. Judges 13:24–25) In Zorah, a Danite…Samson3 min readSamson3 min read
Published inPrism & Pen·May 10Member-onlyA Meditation on the LGBTQ+ Backlash, a Glimpse of Better Times AheadHow we are, where we are — There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves…Transgender Rights10 min readTransgender Rights10 min read
Mar 15Member-onlyJean-JacquesMy colleague, Jean-Jacques, had ideas of reform. He tempted me — we went to have a coffee at a restaurant in Tours, one of those delightful little restaurants of France, where you sit outdoors, in open view of any chance, and free to openly decry the failings of the…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inPrism & Pen·Jan 19Member-onlyMy Happy Transgender Coming-Out StoryIt ends well. But it starts long ago. — When I was a little girl I knew I was a little girl. But that’s like saying I knew the sky is orange. No one knows the sky is orange, because the sky is by definition blue — except in places like Chicago along the lakefront at night, but that’s…Transgender4 min readTransgender4 min read
Jan 13Member-onlyThe Wakeful Beara whimsical sonnet Upon the rising of the sun I rose As well, and went to tend my garden path, But found it blocked by bears in deep repose; And so, not wanting to provoke their wrath, I tarried at the gate, and watched, and mulled. And so, as morning…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Jan 8Member-onlySaffron: a shaggy dog storySaffron is a precious substance, but easy to obtain. Buy some crocus bulbs. Plant them. Watch them grow. Harvest the saffron. Now your menu is replete with exotic esculents. But the cost of harvest — how severe it is! Its cost is measured in tedium: For you must comb…Poetry3 min readPoetry3 min read
