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TransVerse: Poetry About Being Transgender
Before you come,
You ought to know
The name I use
Isn’t the name I’m called
At home
Once upon a time, there was a boy, only he didn’t know he was a boy. He didn’t know what was wrong at first, so he did the only thing he knew how—he wrote. And he kept writing as he learned more about himself and his place in the world.
TransVerse is a broad collection of poems, including haiku, sonnet, acrostic, rhyming, and free verse poetry. The poems start at the beginning of the author’s journey before he knew he was transgender, continue through his transition, and end at where he is today.
This collection of poems offers an unflinchingly honest look into what it’s like to be transgender. This book takes the reader by the hand and leads them through the author’s journey from girl to man, showing an intimate look at what it’s like inside a transgender mind.
You ought to know
The name I use
Isn’t the name I’m called
At home
Once upon a time, there was a boy, only he didn’t know he was a boy. He didn’t know what was wrong at first, so he did the only thing he knew how—he wrote. And he kept writing as he learned more about himself and his place in the world.
TransVerse is a broad collection of poems, including haiku, sonnet, acrostic, rhyming, and free verse poetry. The poems start at the beginning of the author’s journey before he knew he was transgender, continue through his transition, and end at where he is today.
This collection of poems offers an unflinchingly honest look into what it’s like to be transgender. This book takes the reader by the hand and leads them through the author’s journey from girl to man, showing an intimate look at what it’s like inside a transgender mind.
- GenresPoetryTransgenderLGBT
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2018
24 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Winters
10 books12 followersJamie Winters is a cat. You would think a cat can’t be an author, but that’s where you would be wrong.
Jamie first adopted his pet human when he was just growing out of kittenhood. He wanted somewhere to live that was warmer and more comfortable than the streets, so when a human offered, Jamie leapt at the chance. Because of his white fur, his human decided to name him “Winter.” Jamie decided to tolerate this in the sake of keeping the peace.
Over time, Jamie grew more attached to his human. He eventually realized two things. One, he actually loved his human rather than simply tolerating the creature. And two, his human was an idiot. After all, his human didn’t even know how to hunt propery, let alone bestow a name on a cat.
So Jamie decided there was only one course of action. With his extraordinary intelligence, he could take care of his human. He decided to become an author. It was a job that didn’t require him making many public appearances, and only minor tumb dexterity, making it ideal. Plus it allowed him to stay at home and keep his human from getting into too much mischief. He took the human’s loving (though misguided) attempt at a name and turned it into something much more dignified: Jamie Winters.
Much like his human, Jamie found writing to be more than just a means to an end, and he eventually fell in love with the craft. Now he spends much of his time writing and sharing his work with the world.
When Jamie isn’t involved in his literary pursuits, you may find him fetching dinner for his human, catching a warm sunbeam, or engaging in a relaxing night of belly rubs. Which are all completely for the human’s benefit. Of course.
Jamie first adopted his pet human when he was just growing out of kittenhood. He wanted somewhere to live that was warmer and more comfortable than the streets, so when a human offered, Jamie leapt at the chance. Because of his white fur, his human decided to name him “Winter.” Jamie decided to tolerate this in the sake of keeping the peace.
Over time, Jamie grew more attached to his human. He eventually realized two things. One, he actually loved his human rather than simply tolerating the creature. And two, his human was an idiot. After all, his human didn’t even know how to hunt propery, let alone bestow a name on a cat.
So Jamie decided there was only one course of action. With his extraordinary intelligence, he could take care of his human. He decided to become an author. It was a job that didn’t require him making many public appearances, and only minor tumb dexterity, making it ideal. Plus it allowed him to stay at home and keep his human from getting into too much mischief. He took the human’s loving (though misguided) attempt at a name and turned it into something much more dignified: Jamie Winters.
Much like his human, Jamie found writing to be more than just a means to an end, and he eventually fell in love with the craft. Now he spends much of his time writing and sharing his work with the world.
When Jamie isn’t involved in his literary pursuits, you may find him fetching dinner for his human, catching a warm sunbeam, or engaging in a relaxing night of belly rubs. Which are all completely for the human’s benefit. Of course.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 9, 2023
So glad I've read this, it captures moments of the FtM experience perfectly. Thankfully I'm not sore about any of the topics anymore, however it still made me incredibly emotional. Especially the poems about self acceptance. Those always hit the hardest.
March 30, 2024
I'm so glad I accidentally found this hidden gem of a trans poetry collections while looking for exactly that. The writing is relatable and open, it perfectly captions feelings of dysphoria relating to gender or identity in general, provoking empathy and sympathy. Beautifully and well crafted!
November 22, 2021
4.5 / 5 Stars
I've no yet read the companion novel to this book, but I DO own it and I WILL read it.
Especially after I finished this collection. Because, you see, I loved it.
Truth be told, I took that 0.5 stars away because I this collection features that one style of poetry that I don't like. Features as in, it's very diverse and has a lot to offer, but the style is the most dominant in there. So, sorry, but not sorry.
ON THE OTHER HAND though, this book was written very well, featuring touching, intense and personal poems that - at times - used their design and style to enrich the already written word.
Let's not talk about the absolutly stunning cover art, because wow, it's so beautiful <3
If I say anything else about the art, we'll be here for a while. So I'll drop it. But... just ♥
I'm not trans, so take my opinion as you will, but honestly, this was one of the most educating AND beautiful collections featuring the trans experience I've ever read.
I can reccomand this to EVERY SINGLE trans ally.
Oh, and also to literally anyone else, because this was great.
I've no yet read the companion novel to this book, but I DO own it and I WILL read it.
Especially after I finished this collection. Because, you see, I loved it.
Truth be told, I took that 0.5 stars away because I this collection features that one style of poetry that I don't like. Features as in, it's very diverse and has a lot to offer, but the style is the most dominant in there. So, sorry, but not sorry.
ON THE OTHER HAND though, this book was written very well, featuring touching, intense and personal poems that - at times - used their design and style to enrich the already written word.
Let's not talk about the absolutly stunning cover art, because wow, it's so beautiful <3
If I say anything else about the art, we'll be here for a while. So I'll drop it. But... just ♥
I'm not trans, so take my opinion as you will, but honestly, this was one of the most educating AND beautiful collections featuring the trans experience I've ever read.
I can reccomand this to EVERY SINGLE trans ally.
Oh, and also to literally anyone else, because this was great.
December 25, 2018
A beautiful book, and the perfect companion for TransForm - they reflect on each other well, looking at the same topics and issues from slightly different vantage points. The poems themselves were beautiful and touching - the very last one was particularly touching, and will be left open on my kindle edition for quite some time. Highly recommend.
July 19, 2020
A collection of snapshots, ranging through heavy, painful, funny, hopeful, angry, loving, determined. . . All shared in just as varied poetry, following life and stories.
My favourites, for varying reasons: Two Flowers, Lying on a Sidewalk, Theodore, Bound
My favourites, for varying reasons: Two Flowers, Lying on a Sidewalk, Theodore, Bound
October 8, 2024
A lovely set of poems written from largely a trans man's perspective.
It's quite approachable and engaging. I found myself nodding along as a trans woman because of how the poetry managed to capture the shared trans experience so well.
Definitely recommended.
It's quite approachable and engaging. I found myself nodding along as a trans woman because of how the poetry managed to capture the shared trans experience so well.
Definitely recommended.
October 26, 2018
Some made me cry
There are some that made me cry and some that made me think. As this poetry reminds me: Living your real you is never easy; but it is possible.
There are some that made me cry and some that made me think. As this poetry reminds me: Living your real you is never easy; but it is possible.
Did not finish
September 23, 2019I really wanted to like this, but the poetry just wasn't for me.
January 30, 2022
Powerful
This is a powerful and personal look into this person’s heart and mind. I highly recommend it to everyone. There is a fantastic list of resources at the end, too.
This is a powerful and personal look into this person’s heart and mind. I highly recommend it to everyone. There is a fantastic list of resources at the end, too.
January 21, 2023
It really resonated with me due to the connection of FTM trans references. I appreciated the separation between pre, during and post transition. A poetry book I'll keep coming back to
August 18, 2024
i really enjoyed this read. it opened my eyes in ways that i didn’t expect. i thought i understood a decent amount already, but i still have a lot to learn.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews