Shormita delves into the psyche of a trans child, portraying the conflicts within, when it is unable to understand terms like sex, gender, and sexuality of a person. An exclusive for Different Truths.

I am 12 –
      the boys bully me,
      I like to be with girls
     Am I unusual?
 
     I love to sing and dance
     love to flaunt my curves,
     I love to wear skirts
    Am I unusual?
 
   I love to apply lipstick and bindi
   secretly wear mother’s bangles,
    I love to drape her saree,
   Am I unusual?
 
  They call me chakka
  even Number 9,
  I kept silent but it hurts,
 Am I unusual?
 
  Depressed, derogated, and confused,
  neither male nor female,
  Then who am I?
  Am I the only one who is unusual?

This poem is from the book, Women and Queers: The Marginalized Gender, edited by Shormita Bose, the poet.

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Shormita Bose

Shormita Bose, is pursuing PhD in English literature from GLA University, Mathura. She has completed her M.A. & B.A. from University of Allahabad. She has contributed her research article in the edited book- Human Rights: Issues, Challenges and Present Status and also written an article in the anthology -Words That Stay Forever. Currently, she is working on her own edited book- Women and Queers: The Marginalized Gender.

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