Author: pepperthephoenix

Trans Rights Readathon 2024

It’s 2024 and trans rights and lives are still being threatened and we’re facing an election between two old white cis men who don’t care about anyone, let alone the trans and non-binary community. Things are particularly fraught for trans people of color, which is why I’m raising $500 dollars for Brave Space Alliance.

Brave Space Alliance is a Black-led, Trans-led, LGBTQ+ Center in Hyde Park, Chicago, and they do amazing work for the trans community in south side. I believe they are only the trans inclusive and supporting LGBTQ+ organization in all of south side Chicago, making them a vital pillar in our community.

A rectangular image of blue, white, and pink swirls. On top of the image it says in black ink: @transrightsreadathon #TRR24 #Transirghtsreadathon. Below that it says in white text: Trans Rights Readathon 2024. Below that in black text it says transrightsreadathon.carrd.co. Below that are 15 images of different book covers of different books written by trans or nonbinary authors. below the images, white text says March 22-29, 2024

I am pledging to read 10 books between March 22-29, which a stretch goal of 15 books in total. I’m asking you to help me raise $500 for this amazing organization by either making a one time donation or pledging a certain amount for each book I read. Every little bit truly helps!

2023: The Year of Grief

I lost my best friend in February. I found out she was sick in January and was told she would survive for a few more years if I put her on a special diet. No cause for alarm. Everything would be fine.

            Not even a month later she died in my arms.

I could save her – potentially – if I had 4000 dollars and a car to drive 3 hours away to a vet who would keep her for ten days. Maybe that will work.

            Just maybe she’ll live.

            It’s her best shot.

            The only thing echoing in my head: “I don’t want her to die alone.”

(more…)

Grief

I was born with a dark twin

Similarly unwanted, but relied on.

They were a small, black mutt

With wiry black fur, oversized ears,

And large dark eyes.

Born together and bonded together.

This being became my trusted companion

Shield me, drove me, broke me

I ignored it

I hated it

I dismissed it.

But it was always there

Patiently following me wherever I went.

Growing in size and power

Until I could no longer ignore it.

Until I heard its loud breathing

And disgruntled growls and roars.

Until I heard the heavy thuds

Of its paws 

as it trailed behind me.

Until I felt its wiry fur as it slept beside me.

As I saw its dark form

At the foot of my bed,

In the corner of my office,

Sleeping at my feet while I wrote,

Cuddling next to me on the couch,

Eating my scraps as I cooked.

Patient, protective, heartbroken.

I sit cross legged on my bed

The beast sitting on all fours in front of me.

Our eyes locked

Our breathes uneven,

And I tentatively reach out

And stroke its dark fur

And it rests its big cheeks

In the palm of my hand

And I cry as the beast unfurls 

And lies down, resting its head in my lap

And I stroke its fur.

Scream

Can’t you see the world is dying

Can’t you see?

Don’t you care?

The whole world is on fire

People are dying

Millions of people are dying all over the world

Every day

And no one cares

No one cares

We drown out the screams with white noise

We’ve grown used to the stench of blood and rotting flesh

We no longer see the trails of blood

We do not notice our hands stained with blood

Our clothes stained with blood

We do not notice we feast on the bloated remains of the starved

We do not notice that the mortar that holds up our homes and institutions.

Is made from the bones of those we left to die in the streets

Of those we killed in camps,

in prisons,

in plantations,

In sweatshops,

In warehouses,

In alleys

Through maliciousness

Through enjoyment

Through neglect

All I want to do is scream

Scream through the madness of it all

Scream and scream

Until my throat is bloody and raw

Until the world stops and listens

Until this terrifying loss of faith

And hope for the future

Consumes me

And I no longer know fear

Or self-preservation

Only the fiery rage that will burn this all down

Let this world end

Let us burn it to the ground

And trust others to rebuild

A stronger, loving world

But first we must burn these decrepit things

Blow away the bleached white rib cages of ancient monstrosities

That refuse to let go of their wealth

And their power

Let us flip the continent over, into the sea

Wash away all this horror

And when it returns to the surface

May the sun shine

On a new land

A new people

A new future

Where death isn’t compartmentalized

Where responsibilities to each other are not abnegated

Where we no longer need to

Feast on rot and decay

Where our footsteps do not leave a trial of blood

And our bones are not carved

With the name of all we’ve killed

Let it end

Let it all end

So others may live