A Father's Sun

To be born a girl to a father with patriarchal dreams born a disappointment to himself was all I could claim. A pretty little thing, a trinket, a space holder, a seam, to be a man is to be wanted to be woman's a shame. Born a disappointment to himself was all I could claim Mother cried, and tried but one more girl she bore to his frown To be a man is to be wanted to be woman's a shame. I watched and did not wonder as his lips turned upside down. Mother cried, and tried but one more girl she bore to his frown If I'd been a boy, his joy would have saved my Mother's heart as I watched and did not wonder, as his lips turned frown down I learned being male was something desirable and apart. If I'd been a boy, his joy would have saved my Mother's heart. I'd lead the pack, ride the rails, see the world, eat it all whole. I learned being male was something desirable and apart. But I'd not use my powers to break countless hearts untold. Many children I'd seek, daughters and sons, all wanted each one born a disappointment to himself was all I could claim. But a man, such as I'd be, would cherish daughters not shun to be a man is to be wanted to be woman's a shame.