On a Theme of Austen Hartke

This poem is riffing on the work of the great trans scholar Austen Hartke.

You have heard it said
“God created night and day and nothing in between”
But I say to you
God created night and day
And everything in between

For there is dusk when the clouds swirl like brushed paint
And the spectrum of sky turns from deep blues to
Oranges and pinks
And there is dawn when the sky warms like an oven
Readying itself to bake our daily bread

And you have heard it said
“God created land and sea and nothing in between”
But I say to you
God created land and sea
And everything in between

For there are murky marshes and sinking swamps
And sandy beaches that slide into and under seas
Amen

But you have heard it said
“God created male and female and nothing in between”
But I say to you
God created male and female
And everything in between

Blessed are those who don’t fit in
For they have gained their sight
Blessed are those who face transition
For they are like captives released from bondage
Blessed are those who are persecuted for their love
For they are no longer poor

You have heard it said
“There is sacred and there is secular”
But I say to you
Yes
And everything in between
And amen


Photo by Cecilie Johnsen on Unsplash