if I were a boy
this would be different
allowed
I could tell you
I love you
and leave out the
sibling part

I could tell you
I’d be better
than him, better than
any boy you could find
I could tell you
all that I’ve held inside
the reason behind my name
for you, I could be there for you
and, sweetheart, for you I could
be safe—I would never, ever
hurt you.

but I am not a boy
and your mother’s holy water
would drip, drip, drip
fear
into your heart
and drive a wedge between us—
my “disease” would burn you
and my love would always
always
bruise you.

so for you, Ophelia
I will hold my tongue
for you, darling
I’ll speak in code
but you need to know
that boy
doesn’t deserve you.