Comments | ysabetwordsmith: Poem: "The Changeling's Return"

ysabetwordsmith

Poem: "The Changeling's Return"

May 10, 2011 20:31

This poem came out of the May 3, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl. It was selected in the generally sponsored poetry poll. It was inspired by a prompt from haikujaguar who related an anecdote about a transgender person using the changeling myth to retell their own story. This is the heart of all storytelling, the power inherent in myths and folk tales -- it lets us ( Read more... )

fantasy, reading, gender studies, writing, fishbowl, poetry, cyberfunded creativity, poem

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zianuray May 11 2011, 01:35:15 UTC

I feel like that so strongly sometimes...but not often enough to do anything about it.

Yes... ysabetwordsmith May 11 2011, 02:04:46 UTC

... which puts one in a very odd position within the genderqueer community.

I'm much the same. This body doesn't suit my specs in a variety of ways, sex included; but there is nothing that can be done with available technology that would make an improvement, so I'm disinclined to bother. The shear is annoying, but not beyond my capacity to handle in most circumstances. (I have a great deal of sympathy for people who do find their birthbody uninhabitable as-is.)

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Re: Yes... ysabetwordsmith May 11 2011, 03:34:20 UTC

>> I wouldn't call mine uninhabitable, but there are times when the specs for the body really don't seem to line up with those for the brain, gender- and other-wise. <<

Yeah. One of the more frustrating aspects for me is the processing-speed shear. My soul works faster than my mind, which works faster than my brain, which works faster than my fingers can type. This makes it challenging to write fiction if the download speed exceeds the maximum output speed, which creates odd skips.

>> It is a strange position to be in, but it seems to be getting slightly more recognition these days, for whatever that's worth. <<

That's an improvement over, "If you were really genderqueer, you'd be getting a sex-change."

Re: Yes... siege May 11 2011, 15:07:20 UTC

This makes it challenging to write fiction if the download speed exceeds the maximum output speed, which creates odd skips.

Sounds like you need a data buffer.

Re: Yes... cissa May 13 2011, 22:11:05 UTC

See, I thing "genderqueer" means NOT going with the cliches- which means that it's unlikely that any operation would work, because it'd create as many problems as it solved.

"To me, "genderqueer" means NOT fitting the stereotypes- and thus none of the stereotypes work.

Re: Yes... ysabetwordsmith May 13 2011, 22:50:41 UTC

Well, that too. *chuckle* I actually have a character for whom your definition of "genderqueer" is the only one that fits, who eschews all labels, binaries, and limitations.

Re: Yes... zianuray May 12 2011, 02:30:31 UTC

Emily will be seeing Alec this weekend -- formerly Heather -- may I please print off a copy of this to send to him? I think he would like it. I am very willing to pay/tip for the privilege if you will let me know how much to send.

Yes, please! ysabetwordsmith May 12 2011, 02:39:44 UTC

Once a piece is sponsored, it can be shared with other folks. Online that usually means links, but printing out a copy is fine for offline. Just make sure it includes the byline and URL in case someone wants to backtrack here. Please convey my thanks for many years of sense-of-wonderful music.

If you want to leave an extra tip, that's fine, but not required. Extras do let me know what subject matter is appealing to my audience. Up to you what you think it's worth, or what you have to spare.

unmutual May 11 2011, 11:41:18 UTC

Me too.

*hugs* ysabetwordsmith May 11 2011, 18:41:52 UTC

I knew that I had a fair number of genderqueer friends, but wow, you-all are really thronging today.

Re: *hugs* unmutual May 11 2011, 18:46:53 UTC

I don't know if I even think of myself as genderqueer or if that's a label I'm willing to take on, given that I'm still a straight woman who was born into a woman's body. Even if I do think I ought to have been born a boy, it's a bit late to go back and change that now! I don't want to change the now.

Labels are confusing.

Re: *hugs* ysabetwordsmith May 11 2011, 19:17:57 UTC

>> I don't know if I even think of myself as genderqueer or if that's a label I'm willing to take on <<

My own definition of "genderqueer" is very broad, encompassing everything outside the middle of the bell curve belonging to conventionally masculine males and feminine females. Other definitions exist that focus on different aspects of gender, sexuality, and variables. People are entitled to choose their own identity descriptions ...

>> Labels are confusing. <<

... and yes, that can get confusing. Just remember that it helps to put the jello in a bowl before you try to rivet it to the bulkhead.

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