Charlie Jane Anders

begins her novel

Victories Greater Than Death

with a protagonist

who has a beacon

inside her

full of starlight

that some day

will be released.

It’s such a great metaphor

for being trans,

for being closeted,

the desire

to let that beauty

escape from you

without always thinking

about the consequences,

so pregnant

with something amazing,

never knowing

when it will get

the chance

to shine.