One Year Post-Op

A year ago today I woke up in

A whole lot of pain—

11/11/21 what a lucky, lucky day.

Since then a lot has changed

I still don’t quite have room in my heart

To celebrate myself, and still those around me

Don’t care about anything but themselves and yet

It doesn’t matter, because

I celebrate every single day

With a job where no one knows my old name

With a future that feels new and exciting again

Going on a double date where

I’m just a regular boring old straight white man.

The joy I feel is so intense

It ripples through my insides and gives me IBS

The adrenaline of being him

Has been worth every stitch.