Rose in the Park
Walking in the park
I was
A gaggle of geese
Animated my steps
A train’s honk blasted
Halted the crew’s haste
To fasten a broken fence
The geese opened their wings
And whether it was for joy or pain
They ran as if to fly
The beauty of their freedom
Didn’t distract me
From a girl
Crying on a bench
She noticed me
Standing by her side
I’m a monster, she said
I said no word
I’m a monster, she said
I sat by her side
She wept in my chest
I’m a monster, she said
Her tears flowed; her words poured
I hurt my family, she said
My mother
She won’t talk to me anymore
My father
He saw me in my female clothes
I don’t know you, he said
I have a boy
I don’t have a girl
My son’s name is David
I know no Rose
My father slammed the door
On my nose
My tears flowed; my words poured
You’re not a monster, I said
You’re a girl, I said
You’re a person
You deserve respect
I know a shelter, I said
A bed, food, and love
You’ll be welcome
The freight train’s honk blasted
Crushed the air
The trees trembled; the leaves fluttered
The ground shook: the entire Earth rattled
The geese opened their wings
And whether it was for joy or pain
They ran as if to fly
Tomorrow will be different, I said
Tomorrow will be different, she said
The girl opened her arms
And whether it was for joy or pain
She ran to embrace the train
