The spellbooks say to sever a bond I need candles and string
my mother says I need a lawyer
the bank says I need your signature or you need mine
my father says all I need is to give him a key and let him call the shots.
I say I need an update, plead in unsent email drafts begging for my freedom from you
and you say nothing or too much about everything else, refusing any acknowledgment of the hostage you made me
I highlight and delete until I'm left with one-word sentences
always asking the same question, always another implied
when does this end?
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Letter to our Queer & Trans Youth
Hey, you. I thought I’d start this letter by telling you a little about myself, just so you know who you’re dealing with. I’m an emotional dad, father to three amazing kids who we met through the foster care system, and whose presence in our lives has really transformed my sense of responsibility to the communities that surround us. The connections we’ve made with one another, with our extended families, and with the communities where we live and look for belonging have catapulted us into this whirlwind of emotional tumult which, while not easy by any stretch of the measure, has also been remarkably healing. I realize ours is really only a one-sided chosen family, since our kids didn’t get to choose to live here, but I’d like to think that they did choose to let us love them, which allowed them to grow to love us. And I think that’s where I want to go with this letter- to a place where you can find belonging and healing- even if the pathway there may be peppered with some emotional tumult.
By F Cade Swansona day ago in Pride
Comments (16)
Congratulations on having your story featured as a top story on Vocal! This is a remarkable achievement, and it's clear why your work has received such recognition. Your storytelling is truly exceptional. The narrative was not only compelling but also beautifully crafted, holding my attention from start to finish. The way you developed the characters and plot was masterful, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking. Your unique voice and perspective shine through, setting your work apart. It’s evident that you poured a lot of passion and effort into this piece, and it has certainly paid off. I look forward to reading more of your incredible stories in the future. Keep up the fantastic work! Best regards, Dr. Jay
Well-wrought! Been there.. done that... lost the t-shirt in the divorce...
As a witch, I love this and the play on words you create here. Thanks for sharing and congrats!
Cut those dang cords! Nice work on your top story! 😊👍
Love this , very other worldly
Listen to your mother and the spellbook! Congrats on TS🤩
Well done. Congratulations on top story
Ii like
Many congratulations on TS Well deserved win
🖤
congratulations 🥳
Tons of pent up frustration in very few words. Congratulations on a great read and the Top Story!
thanks your story
It ends when the cord goes pulseless. Also, the umbilical cord has no nerve endings, so it doesn't hurt to cut it. When the pulses cease, why wait?
The contradiction in those first two lines is fantastic. Terrific poem!
You bring your reader through a variety of options, none of which are good or bad, but all of which seem to miss the point of actually extracting your narrator from the circumstances at hand. I love the tension you've created -- in effect, you keep your reader prisoner, too, awaiting a proper resolve. Loved the chuckle of a "one-word sentence". Enjoyed it!