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