Daughter: A Poem

In one of four poems published in Alta’s Fall 2020 issue, Anastacia-Reneé reflects on differences she sees in her daughter.

By Anastacia-Reneé

Nov 17, 2020

Anastacia-Reneé served as the Seattle Civic Poet from 2017 to 2019 and was the recipient of the 2018 James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award for Washington artists.

BRAD CURRAN

1.
my daughter is so much
more femme than me &
she says i look good in
a little red lip & when i
slick my underarm hair
down with a tiny toothbrush

2.
she laughs so big (still)
& at first isn’t afraid when
people see her tonsils
when her flat stomach
becomes one long line
of fame

3.
my daughter is so much
more femme than me
she shows me on our homemade
skittle spectrum
that i am
( here. )
& she is
( )

4.
my daughter is so much
more femme than me &
she knows how to
sew a pair of genes into
herself seamlessly

Anastacia-Reneé Anastacia-Reneé served as the Seattle Civic Poet from 2017 to 2019 and was the recipient of the 2018 James W Ray Distinguished Artist Award for Washington artists.