UNKNOWN

Richard struggled for much of his life with a mystery. Why was he uneasy and uncomfortable? Why did he feel like an imposter? In his sixties, he made a discovery that would change his life and his creative work. He realized that his life as a man did not fit with who he knew himself to be. He began the journey of transition that led him to emerge in his San Francisco community as "Richelle Lee," leaving "Richard" behind.

This powerful book of poems by Richelle is a magnificent collection of metrical poetry that gifts the reader with honest passion and delightful good humor. Richelle Lee Slota's poems open themselves to the world in private and public "letters" that dare to test a society full of hate and division. These letters/poems are stronger than the terror and rejection the writer faces. The beauty of her rhythm and her emotional honesty--and Richelle's dazzling technical energy--reach out to anyone seeking optimism and hope and provide nourishment. "Catch the cis-brained psyches' sober iambs/write, thrumming clever like a cleaver transgender tie-ins," Richelle writes. See the gifted person who has discarded her dead name and be captivated, enlarged, and changed by this writer of unique and moving poetry, who courageously signs her new name to every poem.

Thomasina DeMaio painted the cover image which was photographed by Thomas Heinser. Dan Stricker designed the cover.