Growing up in the 80s and 90s as a panromantic, asexual person who would later transition and had no language to understand myself, my relationship with love and romance was complicated from the start. Those decades were particularly challenging for the LGBTQ+ community – a time when silence and invisibility were often the safest options, when the very existence of identities like mine was either denied or demonized. This context shaped not only my journey to authenticity but also my understanding of love, romance, and connection.
"Glass Hearts & Broken Pedestals" emerged from my desire to explore my unique experiences and perspectives in relation to love and romance. When I transitioned in 2017, I found myself navigating relationships in new ways, seeing love through the lens of my authentic identity as a panromantic, asexual transwoman. This collection is my attempt to capture that journey, to share the beauty and complexity of love as I've experienced it.
The title itself speaks to the fragility and strength we all carry in matters of the heart, and to the way we must sometimes break down our preconceptions about what love should look like to discover what it can be. Through these poems, I wanted to challenge the narrow definitions of romance that dominate our culture, to show that love comes in many forms, all of them valid, all of them beautiful.
Being both panromantic and asexual gives me a unique perspective on love and attraction. These poems explore the deep emotional connections that can exist without sexual attraction, the different ways we can experience romantic love, and the beauty of relationships that don't fit conventional molds. I wanted to give voice to experiences that are often overlooked or misunderstood, to show that there are many ways to love and be loved.
One of my goals in writing this collection was to create a mirror where readers could see their own experiences reflected, regardless of their identity or orientation. For LGBTQ+ readers who might be questioning or not yet out, I wanted these poems to be a gentle reminder that they're not alone, that their feelings are valid, that there are others who understand what they're going through. For readers who might not share my specific identities, I wanted to create windows into different ways of experiencing love and romance, fostering understanding and empathy.
The collection delves into the complexities of navigating relationships when your identity doesn't fit neatly into society's boxes. It explores the challenges of dating while trans, the beauty of finding people who see and accept you for who you are, and the particular joy of discovering that you can be loved exactly as you are. These poems speak to the vulnerability of putting yourself out there, of risking rejection, of daring to believe in love despite past hurts.
Through these poems, I wanted to show that while our specific experiences might differ, the fundamental human desire for connection, understanding, and love is universal. The butterflies in your stomach when someone special smiles at you, the warmth of holding hands with someone who truly sees you, the comfort of being fully yourself with another person – these experiences transcend gender, orientation, and identity.
Each poem in this collection is both deeply personal and universal. While they emerge from my specific experience as a panromantic, asexual transwoman, they speak to universal truths about love, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to open ourselves to connection. They challenge readers to question their assumptions about what love looks like and to embrace a more inclusive understanding of romance and relationships.
You can purchase Shooting Stars and Origami Swans at your favorite bookseller.
My collections available on Amazon
Shooting Stars and Origami Swans
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