machetona
they called me for wanting to wear the traje de charro for wanting to ride astride for wanting no limits lesbian they spat out not just the men but also the women but what does it matter who i desire who i love tradition they say tradition means a woman must wear a dress a woman must be a lady a girl must ride sidesaddle because a horse should not take her virginity a woman must not show she is strong or able or clever or brave they say but what if a man wanted to wear a dress expecting me to shrink back in horror but i say the world will not end if a man wears a dress the world will not end if i love who i love the world will not end if i say this place belongs to me too the world will not end if i live as i say i must live
This poem is part of the portfolio “Escaramuza, the Poetics of Home.” You can read the rest of the portfolio in the April 2025 issue.