Jos Charles reads “LVII. [tonite I wuld luv to rite]”

The transcript is a heartfelt reflection by the author on the loss of several trans women friends, some to suicide and one to murder. This emotional turmoil led to the creation of a poem, which is recited in the transcript. The poem explores themes of grief, the fragility of life, and the structured response to shock. It serves as a tribute to the lives lost and a meditation on the beauty and pain of existence.

What prompted the poet to write this poem?

• A historical event

• A personal achievement

• The loss of several trans women friends

• A natural disaster

What does the poet wish to write about in the garden?

• A tree

• A moth

• A butterfly

• A flower

What recurring theme is highlighted in the poem?

• Technological advancement

• Adventure and exploration

• Loss within the trans community

• Joy and celebration

How does the poet describe the feeling of being alive?

• As a burden

• As a structured response

• As a pleasure in a trembled suit

• As a word lost in the mouth

What does the poet gather in the final section of the poem?

• Memories

• Stars

• Nights and trees

• Leaves