He wants to be loved just like anybody else in this world,
His lips freshly glossed and his hair just been curled,
Brows freshly plucked and eyes made up or defined,
Make up newly applied and patiently been refined.
This is a transformation for himself and he smiles,
His mates will be arriving soon for the regional trials,
That's right he's an athlete but today he feels like her,
So he becomes she and that will cause quite a stir.
He has practised just as hard as the rest of the team,
To win gold is what he strives for and is still his dream,
They know he likes to dress up and go out as a dame,
Whatever floats his boat for what's it matter the name?
He's good at the sport dedicated and fiercely competitive,
They see that too when he transforms it's repetitive,
Because he always emerges a butterfly from a chrysalis,
The shy young indecisive man into a vision like this.
It seems to give him strength so who are they to argue?
And when they arrive they hug her right on cue,
Escort her like a lady to the coach they all board for town,
Treat him with dignity at odds when they all act the clown.
But he never once is thrown shade from the guys,
He thinks he sees appreciation in some of their eyes,
But the girls can sometimes be more circumspect perhaps,
Puts that down to being wary of competition for their chaps.
But he doesn't feel attracted to men that much,
Sure he's had a little play and enjoyed a fun touch,
He's not that interested in girls much either sexually,
Mostly he just loves the person not swayed visually.
Truth is there are many gender fluid people and ways,
Some don't pidgeonhole themselves sexually these days,
They prefer to explore and unravel at their own pace but
It's difficult to conform to a world who wants it clear cut.
So he arrives at the venue and takes a look around,
As he does so he draws the usual stares and sound,
But she's an amazonian so unlike his other self true,
She just shrugs it off and goes about whatever she needs do.
Next morning of the competition as a guy he's handsome,
Defined body and brooding looks as he trains in a storm
Of controversy that mostly the whole team ignored,
They're more about winning and being top on the board.
This is what he diligently trained all those hours for,
Performs the best he's ever done and gets the best score,
Wins gold in his chosen field and is carried to victory,
Feels a lot to thank her for with the power of his she.
He's had a life scolded and beaten or verbally abused,
Got over it and through it or past it when confused,
Came out the other side two distinct personalities in one shell,
He was quiet and tense but she was fierce and played hell.
It all seemed to work out and he had no particular regrets,
They gave up forcing him to be who he wasn't as it gets
Him frustrated as his mood takes him where it will,
Each has a part to play in his life and each is him still.
And as he stands on that podium a medal in his hand,
He salutes his friends on the team as they understand,
Taking part in life and giving the best you can takes a lot to defeat,
But so too acceptance of the new normal when others retreat.
He cheers and cries and they carry him away to celebrate,
This is a winner, a friend, someone special and a mate,
They will party hard tonight before heading back next day,
All knowing to face a challenge we find our own special way.