"being transgender is like killing yourself"

that cute girl in the cream white dress
with pigtails done in little bows—
i lunge forward, grab her neck, and squeeze
as though i could steal the life from her

i know she played pretend as a princess with her sister
i know she prayed every night with her mother before bed
i know she dreamed of soaring amongst the stars—
a dream i’ve torn away with my bare hands

her lips are turning a pale baby blue
her eyes are bulging from her skull
and i hear her whisper “please”—
a plea for me to stop, or to end it all?

and i wonder, was it worth it?
taking her from her friends, her family, her future
her life cut short by this freak of nature
who yearns for something more than girlhood?

as i see the light leave her eyes
and she lets out a final gasp
the corner of her lips turn up—
an angel finally gained his wings