Rachel Mann

I think this might be one such attempt.

I'm going to read a couple of poems from the closing section, A Charm to Change Sex.

I guess this is the most personal attempt

uh section of the collection um i'd love to be able to read to you the whole of seven proof texts on a transitioned body which i guess makes my experience being a body incredibly foregrounded and vulnerable i'm going to read the final section um

A reflection on being in hospital, drawing on my experience of, I suppose, what's sometimes called gender confirmation surgery and a particular incident that happened when I was in.

Seven.

So seven pretexts on a transition body.

Seven pretexts.

Awake at 4 a.m.

and young again.

Scars are raised, self-portrait as Jesus before the scourge.

Thesis, only the young and untroubled truly know the delight of God.

A body yet to be settled, back in hospital for the final step.

They're trying to kill me, oh God, they want me dead.

An old lady's shout from across the bay.

that other light, oh comfort ye, comfort ye my people, dare I speak my response.

Sweet holy one, mother, listen, body, body drains away into plastic, transfiguration is fluid, yellow, red, brown, bags of liquid God, pierced one, he bears our smell and stain,

He bore our sin.

Holy Mother, let us be translated into constituent parts.

Do not be afraid.