The Poetry On Our Arms

The Poetry on Our Arms is OUT NOW! Check it out here!

[trans-poetry-book]

An Update.

Hey everyone, it’s been a while. How’ve you been?

The book has been out for over three years now. I can’t begin to tell you how thankful I am to everyone who submitted their poetry, who shared posts, even people who just followed the blog. And I’m especially grateful to everyone who has bought the book so far. While it certainly didn’t become a bestseller, I know from reviews, and from people telling me so, that it has helped so many.

Now, I’m going to need your help again.

The first book---yes, I said first, I’m getting to that---mainly contained poems that held the stories of the darkness that trans people face. I think it was important that those stories were shared; it helped shed light on our struggles, and allowed many people to feel seen.

However, there’s another aspect to being trans. The wonder of figuring out who you are. The joy of gender-affirming things. The love and support that you recieve. And that’s something I want to highlight as well.

So, I’m working on another anthology; this time, one about euphoria. This book won’t be limited to strictly young people like the last one---anyone can submit their poetry. Of course, this again depends on you. Please, if you’re interested in this venture, spread the word. Reblog this, if you can. And hey, I’m always open to feedback, so if you have ideas or thoughts, let me know!

Thank you again.

[t-a-r-0-t]

Hey, stop scrolling.

Everyone who is reading this: I’m so glad you’re alive. I’m so proud of you. You are loved. I’m here. Don’t give up, we’re almost there.

Pass it on.

[trans-poetry-book]

@catstattoosandpizza @sea-puppy @sarcastichomidalmaniac @sleepcult @rileydehart @whatislife1234567890 @milkwiththebits @skydog64 @thecrookedkilljoy @space-mantis @mason-thefish @spencer-s-diary @fabulouspeachpanda @avengingfordummies @yoimmaperson19 @bluesomes @bitterwort @transconstellation

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find all the blogs whose poems will be part of the book. These are the ones I could find. Thank you for contributing!

[trans-poetry-book]

The poems are: My Gender Hurts, Monsters, Conditionally Out, Scars, Nesting Doll, Boy Scouts, Fluidity, Two Halves Make A Whole, I Don’t Belong, Girly Boy, I Struggle To Say, Dysphoria, I Am From, House But Not A Home, Definition, Thoughts, My Mother’s Tears, Genderfluid, Wild Rose, Call Me They, Something You Will Never Understand, My “Little” Monster, Identity, Make Believe, There Are No Princesses Here, Not Included, The Mask, Brotherhood, Burnt Skin, and My Gender Is Up Here.

[trans-poetry-book]

@catstattoosandpizza @sea-puppy @sarcastichomidalmaniac @sleepcult @rileydehart @whatislife1234567890 @milkwiththebits @skydog64 @thecrookedkilljoy @space-mantis @mason-thefish @spencer-s-diary @fabulouspeachpanda @avengingfordummies @yoimmaperson19 @bluesomes @bitterwort @transconstellation

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find all the blogs whose poems will be part of the book. These are the ones I could find. Thank you for contributing!

[trans-poetry-book]

Can we see a list of who got into the book?

Sure! Might take a bit to set up since I have to match poems to usernames, but I understand why you’d want that.

[trans-poetry-book]

The Poetry On Our Arms: Poems by Young Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC Writers [Phi Wagner-Hecht] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying off

IT’S OUT! Order it on Amazon now! Thank you to all the poets who contributed!

[trans-poetry-book]

The Poetry On Our Arms

A book full of poems by trans and nonbinary young poets. | Check out 'The Poetry On Our Arms' on Indiegogo.

Wanna support the book? Help contribute by donating some money—-and get special perks!

[trans-poetry-book]

plain name

by Gray, 15, Transmasculine

gray a plain name for a plain boy the name of a boy who wears eyeliner like it’s concealer but will never wear concealer for fear of looking soft the name of a boy who dresses in black because it brings him comfort even though he stands out more he’s much more comfortable than he would be wearing a dress the name of a boy who doesn’t always feel like a boy a boy who doesn’t know who to please anymore who found out who he was through wanting to be miserable no longer who wanted to die without wondering why he always felt different the name of a boy who is in love with the idea of being in love and is terrified of love itself the name of a boy who doesn’t know his father whose mother feels like a stranger a boy who found more solace in his friends than his given family the name of a boy who has the body of a stranger who shares his pain with no one, and is considered fine he lets everything build up until it comes crashing down because he knows boys don’t cry so everything’s okay the name of a boy who isn’t yet broken even if he’s cracked the not-so-plain boy with the plain name can be glued back together again

[trans-poetry-book]

Title

You may notice that the title of this blog has changed. That’s because this title—- The Poetry On Our Arms —- will be the title of the book! Let me know what you think of it.

[trans-poetry-book]

I noticed on a recent submission that someone tagged their poem with "ftm", and after their tags you included a note about ftm being a problematic term. This is the first time I've heard someone say anything about ftm (and also mtf, I assume) potentially being problematic. Can you give me some more information about that, please? What makes it problematic, exactly, and what do you think are good alternatives?

For some people, “FTM” (or MTF) indicates that they used to be their birth gender. For most trans/gnc people, they say that they have always been their gender. So terms like “FTM” can feel invalidating.

Some good alternatives are “trans guy/girl/person” if you don’t want to offend anyone. I personally am fine with the terms, but I understand why some people might not want to use them.

[trans-poetry-book]

Roman, 22, FTM

My mother prayed day and night for a lamb and bore instead three wolves, only two of which were willing to dress themselves in soft wool and fleece. The other would growl at the idea of being clad in a lie forever a wolf undisguised. False hooves and blankets covering the skin I am only beginning to love. The horns, I think, I’ll keep.

[trans-poetry-book]

Glow, Skin, Hearbeat

by Collin, 16, Non-binary

I don’t know what I am, only

what I’m not;

I am not a boy.

Peel back the layers of my skin

and you will find

a glowing thing

that doesn’t have a name yet,

only a pulse:

“This is me /

This is me /

This is me” when you say masculinity

all I hear is “mask.”

When you say “man” I reach for a

dictionary but

my heart still beats, gender or not,

even when it feels like my heart

is pumping the wrong blood and yes,

sometimes

this body does not feel like home.

Sometimes

my spirit gets lost in these

endless halls, and all I want

is to draw my walls close,

to shrink this body

to the size it should be,

but I am stuck

in this skin,

this skin which tells

so many lies,

this body which was built

which the wrong instructions,

these walls which hold back all of my light;

this body can’t show

who I am

so I am learning

to tear myself open

until everyone can see

the glow.

C.A.B.

@ringinginthefields

[trans-poetry-book]

She`s Closeted. transfemme haiku

by Brie, 36, Transfemme

So now I accept,

Yet still I cannot tell you,

She hides inside me.

@briearesea

[trans-poetry-book]

Struggles In An Unaccepting Environment

by Alex, 16, Trans Male

Stuck Caged up Please no more This is not me Why am I like this? I’m a boy, not a girl Just respect me, it’s not that hard I am afraid to go outside anymore My “friends” haven’t been the same Why won’t she listen to me? Shouldn’t my mom actually care? “Sorry, I just forgot” It’s been months Why me? Stuck

[trans-poetry-book]

Every Day, Every Holiday

By Chex, 16, Genderfluid 

Transitioning. It feels like waiting for Santa Clause. I’m not seeing anything happening, And it feels like my will to live is based off of false hope and empty promises

instagram: @poems.from.our.hearts

[trans-poetry-book]

Change and Adapt

by Vic, 17, Genderfluid

I am stormy skies and thick thighs Falling rain and pain My hands have tried to hold the world But I find that it’s in vain I always focus on the lows I struggle to see the highs Maybe I should just give up Perhaps that would be wise

I am changing forms like mercury And fighting daily battles I cannot see in front of me And every thought just rattles They never seem to understand How much the wrong term hurts me I cannot find any comfort I need someone to hold my hand

[thetrillproject]

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