Culture – Skirtingroundmylife

Judged

In this poem I share my thoughts on walking alone at night and the fears it can bring to mind for any woman let alone a transwoman of a certain age. I’ve given it the title Judged I believe it shows why no man should ever make judgements on anyone without knowing them. I hope you enjoy the read

Judged

On walking the midnight streets
I feel I’m being judged
by insignificant others
my mother always said
empty drums make the loudest noises
so why when voices
puncture the late night air
do I fear for my safety ?
panicking when random words and phrases
are aimed at women and girls
I know I walk faster when I hear wolfe whistles
which I know can’t be directed at me
nobody sees my fear
I disguise it with habits learned young
It is not my bum they talk of pinching
it is not my breasts
they devour with their eyes or constant gaze
I continue my journey
to safer spaces
though I am all too aware
on a different night
I could be the one
they prey on
under the blanket of stars
but the ones who would judge me
will see fit to deliver their verdict
not realising their wives and girlfriends
would be far more suited
to my kisses.

Daughters Of Sappho

Recently I attended the first in a series of three LGBT creative workshops and this is the poem that came out of it . I’ve titled it Daughters Of Sappho. I hope you enjoy the read

Daughters Of Sappho

Still waters look deceptively quiet
under the midnight stars
the moon sees secrets
disguised under covers of dark two men glance
using glares as their shields of safety
and women kiss discreetly
before passion calls to nature
telling them it’s safe to embrace
we will all be conditioned
by behaviour learned at school
we girls stick to the rules
for fear of being caught,
shamed, blamed for society’s ills
until passion speaks to our hearts
then knowing the part we must play
we narrate our queer stories
letting the lunar goddess
take us where she will
as daughters of sappho
meanwhile still waters
look deceptively quiet
as hormones run riot
two lipsticks blend as one.

Teas And Coffees

As it’s LGBTQ History Month. I’ve written this poem on a true story of the kindness I received from an unlikely source. I’ve titled Teas And Coffees I hope you enjoy the read.

Teas And Coffees

I was told by a well meaning friend of the family
not to concern myself with girls
I was she said more likely to end up as one
than ever be kissed by any
how my mother’s pal discovered
a secret I tried to hide
was something she shared with me
later
it was she claimed the way I looked at them
and the way I looked at boys
nature made your choice
and there is nothing you can do
to change it
so you might as well embrace it
she whispered
while my mum was in the kitchen
making teas and coffees
you need to be honest with the world
and with yourself
as she handed me a parcel containing a bra, two packs of tights
a few pairs of pink frilly knickers
you’ll be needing these she claimed
saying I know you’re not gay
you’re far too ladylike for that.

Skirting Round My Life 2021 My Year On The Blog

As I look back on the events of 2021 I have to say that it wasn’t the year I or anyone hoped or expected it would be. These past 12 months have been a difficult year for us all and this continues to be reflected in Skirting Round My Life as it has in every blog, journal , magazine or other news outlets.

On looking at the statistics, this year has seen Skirting Round My Life on a bit of downward trajectory which I think was to be expected given the circumstances. Hopefully this will change in the next 12 months. Though that will, to a certain extent at least, depend on things opening up a bit post Covid and providing me with more opportunities to enjoy myself and post about my exciting experiences.

The first thing to say that Skirtingroundmylife gained 2, 507 views in 2020. This represented an drop of 16% from it’s 2020 total of 3,018. Though disappointed with the drop I am not in the least bit surprised as continued uncertainty from Covid19 played havoc with our lives and restrictions on what we could and couldn’t do meant opportunities for growth were very severely limited.

This lack of opportunity resulted in a very dramatic drop in the number of posts in the last twelve months as they fell by almost half from 98 to 50. It can also be said that the number of both visitors to the site and comments on posts are both down with the later dropping from 28 to 16 and likes falling by more than 60% from 83 to 36

Topics covered in the last twelve months included Acceptance, Age, Bisexuality, Childhood, Christmas, Coming Out, Ceilidhs, Concerts, Covid19, Crossdressers, Dancing , Dating, Death, Discrimination, Equality, Faith, Fashion, Friendship, Grandparents, Holidays, Lockdown, Love, Memories, Mental Health, Poetry, Relationships, Secrets, Sensuality, Sex, Sexism, Sexuality, Stereotypes, Transition, Transphobia, Visibility, Women,

2021 again saw a slight dip in my global reach as visiting nations were slightly down from 31 in 2020 to 27 last year. The top five countries were UK , USA, Ireland, Germany and Finland, with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Guernsey, and Sweden. making up the top ten. There were also readers from countries including France, Croatia The Philippines, Denmark, Colombia, Peru, Norway, India, and Poland amongst other nations who paid this a visit

As all the statistics have now properly evaluated it is time to bring this review to its conclusion but before I do so I just want thank all my readers. Whether you subscribe to the site or read the posts on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter it doesn’t really matter, the main thing is that you read them and find them entertaining, enjoyable , thought provoking and maybe in some cases challenging. I really hope you’ll continue to do so as that’s what makes blogging so enjoyable for those us who put our opinions out there on the blogosphere for you to read. So all that remains is for me to wish you A Happy, Successful, and Peaceful New Year and I hope you’ll keep skirting round my life throughout 2022 and beyond .

Till next time

Gayle X

Testing The Waters

In this poem I look at the idea of online dating from an older transwoman’s perspective and show why it might be a better choice than you may at first believe It’s titled Testing The Waters, I hope you enjoy the read

Testing The Waters

I was never a fan of internet dating
but this one was different
we chatted for hours
without hearts and flowers being mentioned
though suggestions of sex
we’re hinted at right from the start of our chat
well at our age we can’t afford to hold back
and he danced round my heart
with well chosen words
to tempt me in to his arms
we know we are no spring chickens
but that’s what makes this long distance lust
so attractive
he knows what buttons to press
and while I’m too old for a white wedding dress
I’m not past wearing white tights , with a navy skirt
and a corset to hide my bulges
and give me a fuller figure
we may nearing the winter of our years
but there could yet be
time to gather in a harvest
ripe for the picking
before the last snow of
the season
falls to cover the ground
we will return to when ashes are scattered
meanwhile in two different lands
we type phrases in which daises are never mentioned
and I blush at thoughts of my secret other
who will be the virtual lover for now
till the days when the music changes mood
and testing the waters
we can see if our ships have finally docked
and settled on the Foyle or the Clyde
or whether they will pass in the night
never knowing what might have been
had we landed to kiss on the shore of a stranger.

Night Owl

In this my first poem of 2022, I look at the potential for romance for older transwomen or as I prefer to call us transwomen of a certain age. I was inspired to write it after a chat with Ailie Wallace after enjoying a recent flirtation with a friend that made me examine society’s attitudes to sex and older people. It’s titled Night Owl . I hope you enjoy the read.

Night Owl

She knows the magic of the night
the time when stars dance around the moon
like women do round our handbags
dressed in her finest gladrags
she applies her make up
the perfect finishing touch
for a woman who accepts the fact she is no spring chicken
nor is the partner she’ll be dating
but is claiming this time as her time
to do as she wishes
she may shock a few onlookers
as she goes to venues
where women of her generation
are too often afraid to venture
let alone be seen on the dancefloor
she is not content to leave such pleasures to the young
women of her age deserve to have fun
and she intends to do just that
the night owl in her mini skirt
defying the rules of age
she had been taught to be obedient
and saying yes to embracing the chance
denied her in her teenage years
as stars dance round the moon
in the arms of her lover she discoveres
why the young ones say they never feel the cold

Taxi For Covid

As we get ready to celebrate as best we can, our second Christmas of the pandemic this poem let’s you know what I’d like to order from Santa and that’s why it’s titled Taxi For Covid. I hope you enjoy the read.

Taxi For Covid

From nowhere dark clouds
blacked out light from our lives
we were told to stay home
not to panic buy essential stuff
to venture outside only when we absolutely must

This invisible threat was new to us
a modern day plague swept across borders
changing the established order
forcing us to challenge ourselves
in to finding new ways of doing things
we would never have thought of before

We couldn’t ignore it
though elites did their best to wish it away
homes became our workspace
and classrooms for those in education
we sought inspiration in new ways
during difficult days in an uncertain world
we learned new skills
as technology helped us to see
the friends and family
we weren’t allowed to visit in real time

The internet was our saviour
patterns of behaviour changed
and almost everything moved online
this might have worked for some
but one size didn’t fit all
as many longed for the day
they could to go to the football, the shops or the pub

Meanwhile Zoom was our nightclub , our concert our spoken word gig,
our shared social space
till we waited for the darkness to lift
along with our spirits
when news of a vaccine arrived

Now we’ve survived the worst of the storm
these unforeseen events always bring
though we’re not quite out of the woods just yet
chaos will tempt us by offering just one last dance
before departing to his fate

it is up us to politely decline his request
or be more assertive if required
in telling this nightmare we don’t desire his company
then send him on his way
as we get that shot in the arm
and order a taxi for Covid

Playing Footsie

This poem recalls the night I got chatted up by a woman who was shall we say slightly more direct in her approach than most other women or for that matter men who’ve shown an interest in me. It was with this in mind that I wrote the poem thinking why this had challenged my own sexual identity as until that moment I had always managed to pass. (Yes I know we hate that word in this context ) myself off as a reasonably straight transwoman. You know the kind of transwoman who though she would maybe dabble in exploring her more female side would tend to restrain herself from doing anything about it. I’ve given it the title Playing Footsie. I hope you enjoy the read

Playing Footsie

Drinks for two
in an almost empty bar
as we chat about our days
and how they’ve been
I’m confronted by a question
about whether or not I’d consider
a lesbian relationship
initially I take a step back
give myself time to think
I can’t help but wonder if she is flirting
testing the waters
she knows I’m a transwoman
says women have ways to navigate potentially difficult challenges
with necessity the mother of invention
and lust it’s obedient daughter
by this time I’m lost
as I visit an exciting new reality
my sexuality ready to explore
new ways of dreaming
I imagine us on her sofa
wearing nothing but smiles and matching lingerie
as our legs intertwine
on playing footsie
having enjoyed the foreplay
I turn over and ready myself
for what this night will bring
allowing her to do what she must
as I spread my legs I place my trust
in her hands embracing my Sapphic future
before the kissing starts

Star Spangled Banter

As it’s American independence day I thought I’d share this poem from my back catalogue on Holywood and the mythology creaaqted around it by the movie industry which some of our more celebrity obsessed citizens believe to be the gospel according to the tabloids. It’s titled Star Spangled Banter I hope you enjoy the read

Star Spangled Banter

Star Spangled Banter
Holywood style
Pearly white teeth
superstar smiles
Men with muscles
steroid injudiced
Stories in cinema
nothing like truth

Star Spangled Banter
women must be slim
When did real people
ever go to the gym
Our lives are too busy
we haven’t got the time
Heroes and heroines
walk a thin line

Star Spangled Banter
special effects
Only rich lookers
allowed to have sex
It isn’t reality
just Holywood patter
Creating illusions
by star spangled banter

Dancing With Strangers

In this poem I look at a night at the dancing and the search for what some of us call the one. I’ve given it the title Dancing With Strangers I hope you enjoy the read.

Dancing With Strangers

In the club you eye them up
In the hope they may you ask for a dance
you have no way of knowing what they might say
this stranger who has caught your gaze

You see them smiling
chatting to friends
pretending to be interested
you move closer
attempting to be discreet
as you listen from a distance

Eventually you notice someone else in the crowd
smiling back at you
it’s true it wasn’t the one you had
your eye on
but attractive all the same
you return the smile
you know the rules of the mating game

As you head towards the dance floor
you look in the direction of friends
to gain approval
or at least confirmation
they are ok with your choice
the voice in your head says dance
but when it comes to taking chances
you always tread with caution

They know you well enough to know
taking risks was never your scene
though you have to occasionally
if you want to find the one
the song is Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
and you decide to danger with a stranger

Yes you’re aware of the danger
the hidden risks
but three songs later you’re still dancing
with Prince orPrincess Charming
the first kiss is electric
the second even better

All too soon it’s time to go
the last dance is slow and incredibly romantic
you leave with your friends
though you wish it was them
in a frantic rush you find a pen
take down their name and number
then discover they want to add you
as a friend on Facebook.

You agree to the request
but say it’s best that you add them
by which you mean
safer
well you need to check them out
to see if their details are really worth keeping
or if their interests
include dreaming, eating , and sleeping.
to decide if dancing with strangers
was a risk worth taking tonight.