Labyrinth
by Rivka Clifton
You may feel uneasy. You may feel
like vomiting. Have you
taken this medication before?
Are you familiar with how to take
this medication? Have your symptoms
*
worsened since we last talked?
I have ordered you
a blood test. We can schedule a call
when the results come in. You may
notice tenderness
in your breasts. You may lose the ability
*
to have or maintain an erection. Have you
been researching this for long?
This pin means I can
proscribe your medications. You’ve probably
been thinking about
this for a long time. How long have you
*
felt these symptoms? Would you take
a brief moment to tell us how
your visit went? Will you want to pursue surgical
interventions? The nurse
can schedule your next appointment.
We will start you on monotherapy--
current research suggests
*
anti-androgens may inhibit
breast development. Do you know
your goals? Would you like to pick up
your medication at our pharmacy? Would you
like for it to be delivered to your door?
*
You may feel disoriented. There will be
some tenderness for up to
three days following the procedure. You healed
up well. We believe you would make a great
*
candidate. May I put your name
down? May I see the letter
your therapist wrote in support?
Have you considered the social
*
ramifications of your decision?
You may feel an increased range of emotions.
Does it feel tender
when I push here? What does your
*
electrologist say about your progress?
Do you have the same
goals as you did a year ago?
Your outfit looks great. I want
to make you feel welcome and accepted here.
like vomiting. Have you
taken this medication before?
Are you familiar with how to take
this medication? Have your symptoms
*
worsened since we last talked?
I have ordered you
a blood test. We can schedule a call
when the results come in. You may
notice tenderness
in your breasts. You may lose the ability
*
to have or maintain an erection. Have you
been researching this for long?
This pin means I can
proscribe your medications. You’ve probably
been thinking about
this for a long time. How long have you
*
felt these symptoms? Would you take
a brief moment to tell us how
your visit went? Will you want to pursue surgical
interventions? The nurse
can schedule your next appointment.
We will start you on monotherapy--
current research suggests
*
anti-androgens may inhibit
breast development. Do you know
your goals? Would you like to pick up
your medication at our pharmacy? Would you
like for it to be delivered to your door?
*
You may feel disoriented. There will be
some tenderness for up to
three days following the procedure. You healed
up well. We believe you would make a great
*
candidate. May I put your name
down? May I see the letter
your therapist wrote in support?
Have you considered the social
*
ramifications of your decision?
You may feel an increased range of emotions.
Does it feel tender
when I push here? What does your
*
electrologist say about your progress?
Do you have the same
goals as you did a year ago?
Your outfit looks great. I want
to make you feel welcome and accepted here.
Rivka Clifton is the transfemme author of Muzzle (JackLeg Press) as well as the chapbooks MOT and Agape (from Osmanthus Press). She has work in: Pleiades, Guernica, Black Warrior Review, Colorado Review, and other magazines.