Something Further

I do not let my mother read my poems because they are about love. I do not let my mother hear my voice when I am in love. I do not let my mother love me. I do not think my mother loves me. I do not think my mother knows how to love anymore. I do not think my mother gives enough love to my father. I do not think my father would leave the woman he loves. I do not think my father understands the woman he loves. I do not think my father understands that I am not a woman. I do not think my father understands that I love a woman. I do not think my father and the woman I love and my mother understand that there is something else going on when I don’t want to be anybody’s friend, or when I forget the grocery list every time, or when I miss their phone calls even when I am waiting for them.

Beyza Ozer

beyza ozer is a queer/trans/Muslim writer, editor, and artist. beyza's work has appeared in and is forthcoming from The Offing, Vinyl, and the anthologies Subject To Change: Trans Poetry and Conversation (Sibling Rivalry 2017) and Halal If You Hear Me (Haymarket 2019). beyza is the author of FAIL BETTER (Fog Machine 2017) and they are a recipient of the Windy City Times 30 Under 30 Award. beyza is Social Media Coordinator of YesYes Books and Social Media Manager of Belt Magazine. They serve as Manuscript Editor of Critical Inquiry in Chicago where they live with their partner and cat.