Trans Is Normal, Trans Is Awesome (Louis Toliver Jr

Trans Is Normal, Trans Is Awesome (Louis Toliver Jr - Swartz, LA)

(Photography by Cully Firmin)

Trans is normal

Trans is educational

Trans is beautiful

Trans is powerful

Cara appeared into my life like a guardian angel

I was empowered by her trans experience

My heart was wide open to her knowledge

She said she saw the two-spirit in me

Maybe it was through my bisexuality

We both had a different, yet similar truth:

“That spirituality has no gender or sexuality”

I paid attention to her wisdom from pain

Understanding the hardships of the trans community

We bonded on our experiences of rejection

Depression, thoughts of suicide due to victimization

Her trans, me bi, we both didn’t fit into society

Trans is relatable

Trans is believable

Trans is intellectual

Trans is rational

Cara appeared into my life like a fortress of strength

Her wisdom gave me the air to breathe

An affirmation from the universe that I existed

But my optimistic outlook was denied by reality

We were the ones on earth being denied life

We both were overpowered by self-medicating

I made it past drugs, but Cara didn’t

I witnessed Cara’s transition to living her truth

She witnessed my transition to finding mine

We both wanted to be symbols of love

The good kind of love that Jesus talked about

The same love that values the worth of a trans life

Trans is spiritual

Trans is universal

Trans will blossom

Trans is awesome

Comments

Ash Wednesday (Brian Falcon - New Orleans, LA)

It’s forgettable- the number of times I was called a “fucking faggot” as a kid. As a former child of god, I wasn’t expected to know what those words meant. I was taught that repentance was vital to achieving everlasting life. My momma made me go to church every Sunday. I said my prayers as I was told. But I eventually learned that Catholicism was never my sanctuary. Christianity was never my safe-haven. God never stopped the cheap shots. He never once prevented the harassment or pure embarrassment that I felt from the words of my “kin in Christ.” Now, picture me- a helpless faggot, blinded by the incandescent lights of an old catholic church. I was home from college spending Spring Break in my former hellscape. So, naturally, my momma yet again made me go to church. This time, on a Wednesday. It was Ash Wednesday. When I was among the folks from home, I felt out of place. So much that I’d imagine camouflaging myself. Like saber-tooth in hiding. But the difference? I had a far mo...

Louisiana Words Remembers Jorge Arturo

There’s nothing that hurts more than when we lose someone from our Louisiana Words family. But, the beauty of our writing movement is that the words of our loved ones live on with us. On June 20th, 2023, Louisiana Words Allstar, Jorge Arturo, moved on from this world leaving our hearts broken. He was a charismatic and talented human being. Jorge resided in New Orleans, LA and had been active on Louisiana Words for over a year. To honor Jorge’s life and work, we will be sharing his writing and live performances all Summer 2023. Please help keep his spirit alive by sharing his work. We know that Jorge’s words will connect with our readers and we hope to keep his spirit alive. Jorge’s first submission: “The Dog Show” debuted on February 6th, 2022 and is his most successful piece to date. In 2022, Jorge spent 10 weeks in the top with “The Dog Show,” “Weavers,” “They Say Love Kills, This Time It Really Did,” and “If Hell is Real, It Looks Like an Airport.” His la...

Nobody Said There'd Be a Day Like This (Sam Ray - New Orleans, LA)

I know how this should be: I've seen it, you see, In soap operas, Movies. Your eyes are closed, As if in sleep. Perfect peachy skin Atop a snow white pillow Under flawlessly matched sheets. The heart monitor, Quiet bleeps. The ventilator, A steady hiss. None of that is this. Your eyes Stuck open Seeing without sight Yellow sclera Dumb tears streaming. Tubes, taped to your face Delicate skin torn Where nurses Repositioned them To feed you To heal you You never liked being told What to do. Your whole torso spasms Spastic, Every 40 seconds. A machine Forces your lungs to act. Your hands are warm From hemodialysis But don't respond When we each grab one Give it a kiss. We spend the day Brushing your hair Telling stories Singing songs. Praying prayers. You're not there. Hospital staff Are more lovely If less pretty Than on TV. When the time comes They gently walk us From the room Close the curtai...

Search This Blog