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Sunday, January 21, 2024

THE GIRL I TRAPPED INSIDE MY BODY

by Cameryn Barnett


ACLU graphic


is suffocating. 

 

It’s impossible to breathe 

When the world doesn’t believe 

That you exist. 

 

She writhes in my gut 

And claws at my lungs 

Gasping for her savior 

 

To tell her she is real. 

 

She wears chic heels 

And a curly purple wig 

And tries to stand 

 

But I hold her down; 

 

I push her head into the sand 

After every headline 

About how another trans person died 

About how sports are gender segregated now 

And another governor 

Chose votes over our rights. 

 

Again she tries to stand 

And again I lock her up 

 

Because it’s so much easier     (for them) 

If I just agree 

 

To be the bigger man. 



Cameryn Barnett is a poet, short story writer, and essayist living in South Carolina. They have been published in several student magazines at the University of Iowa, identify as gender fluid, (they/them pronouns) and are currently working on several anthologies.