My gender is a necktie.
At 10 it was all dictates
from others: teachers, parents
the whole system of school, my
classmates’ understanding of Will
Smith, as Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
High School and I was too cool in black
jeans, trenchcoat, and ten-sided dice.
These days, seems no one wears ties.
Now, when I choose, my ties are
for myself. I have amassed
quite a collection.
I like
my ties
textured—
knit silk,
raw silk
wool, linen,
stiff cotton,
stiffer silk
brocade;
dark colors,
muted but,
also, vivid
colors with
flowers, or
embroidered
with foxes.