potential responses aside from “other”

by nova sturrup
brooklyn meeting

gender was a birthday present delicately placed 
as far away from me in the room as possible, 
thank you, i did not need one, though
few would accept the return unboxed and explored.
my gender is not, lol — 
my gender is not one single item 
i am, some gender which is not one 
i am i, but also we, as in gender is a collective agreement 
addendum — my gender is not a collective agreement. 
my gender is in absentia, some days — 
others it is a packed house, standing room only 
my gender is in the fifth house, with my sun, 
creative and passionate and full of expression 
my gender is in space, like the name 
nonbinary euphoria told me was mine 
my gender smells of sandalwood and rosemary 
i apply two times a day if i remember to bring it with me 
my gender still breathes messy sometimes
i accept the gift of comfort in the shape of 
a divinity that is as gender queer as i am, 
imago dei makes gender divine co-creation 
my gender is my breathing-joy, 
the place where it is safe 
to ask, 
to live, 
to be, 
the question.