When Did I Realize I Was A Woman?
Maybe it was when I was told the spaghetti straps on my shirt could prevent a boy from learning.
Maybe it was when I got my first mammogram at fifteen
but at tweny one the nurse explained the meaning of a mammogram to me twice because he thought maybe I was “confusing my procedures.”
Maybe it was when a boy at school slapped my butt and I still had to say hello to him at lunch.
Maybe it was when they gave us rape whistles in high school
and they didn’t make a sound when you tried to blow in them.
Maybe it was when I was told it’s just hormones
when I asked for help with my depression
three months before my suicide attempt.
Maybe it was while I was writing this poem and the feeling of fear trembled out of my pen.
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe.
8 thoughts on "When Did I Realize I Was A Woman?"
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This is so raw and real, I can’t stop reading it.
Thank you so much!
Powerful. My favorite part: “Maybe it was when they gave us rape whistles in high school/and they didn’t make a sound when you tried to blow in them.”
came here to say this.
and also, Jazz… oof. this is gut punch gorgeous and i am so proud to know and love the woman you’ve become.
Thank you, beautiful soul. I adore you!
Thank you so much! That’s my favorite line as well.
Oh, that condescending medical talk! I hear ya, Jazzy.
Powerful piece!
Thank you for sharing.
I could not pass up the title of this poem without reading it. I must say I made a wise choice in reading it. The silent whistle can be heard in your work.