people have been muttering
asking questions, wondering
appalled, aghast, aloof
that I am not a boy,
nor a girl

how could this be!
what is it? they say
why is it? they ask
how dare it? they gasp

mothers give me the criminal side eye,
covering their child's face with their hand
lest they see me for the creature that I am

non-binary androgyny with the name of a he