Once
I had a tie.
I had a place to wear it
I had a lady to help me put it on
and a maid to clean it
when necessary.

I had a shirt
bespoke by tailored hand
and cuff links
that I actually wore on required occasions.
I had all of trappings
all the necessities.

I had a life
rewarding
responsible
rife with opportunity
and now,
there aren’t even remnants
of that experience.

No tie.
No links.
No crisp white shirt
or four hundred K
or anything else
of my earlier days.
I have shed that life
and all those heavy associated words.
All that I was
is gone
and all that is left
is this
and all that I want
is to wear a skirt
one time.