History – Skirtingroundmylife

Lady In Waiting

I wrote this poem for Lesbian Visibility Week and I’ve titled it Lady In Waiting. I hope you enjoy the read

Lady In Waiting

She was always the one
to step up and do her duty
without complaint
showing commendable
restraint
as she dreamed of ladies days at Ascot and Wimbledon
respectable was her way for all occasions
as a lady in waiting
no-one would have ever have guessed
the secret she kept
locked beneath her dress

society was much stricter then
there were no pride marches or rainbow flags in her day
it just wasn’t the way of the world
but of course times change
now women love women
and girls love girls
just as nature intended
if that is the road mapped out for their desires

having reached the autumn of her years
she takes comfort in the fact
no-one saw the tears
which led to summer floods
and caused so much pain
she wears bold colours
and statement tights
they shout loud and proud
such things would never have been allowed
in her youth
she was born in a body which felt like a cage

Now she claims her stage
though it’s taken her longer to dance
as the woman she is
than it did for others
later than she would have liked
she has discovered herself
her emotional health is better than ever
she realises her truth
and it’s better late than never
she won’t be wished away
no matter the opinions of others
especially those who shout at the moon

Now she sings freely
the songs she wants to sing
she will respect herself in the morning
and without warning
kiss her girlfriend
whilst waiting for a bus
or at a picnic in the park with only two invitations
she is happy now
accepting no limitations she is proud of who she is and always has been
she needs no seal of approval nor even consent
she is content to enjoy the taste of lipstick
as she and her lover share a tender moment

this is her time to be herself
to make the memories denied in her earlier years
now smiles replace the tears
the lady in waiting who watched songs of praise
says a prayer and steps up to do her duty
singing hymns of thanks to Sappho
she breaks bread with the girls
and prepares to sip the wine.

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

Pioneer

In this poem I celebrate the life of April Ashley. April for those who don’t know, made history by becoming the first person to ever undergo gender reassignment surgery. I’ve given it the title Pioneer, I hope you enjoy the read

Pioneer

You paved the way
for girls like me
to be women
your name of choice
selected to illustrate
the transformative change
which takes place when winter winds retreat
to be replaced by the first days of spring.

you were a woman
who wasn’t allowed to be a girl
because of the times you grew up in
a child of the inter war years
people feared those like you
a pioneer who wanted just to be herself .

after your operation
you married well
mixed in influential circles
yet those who sought wealth and power
cut the root from your life
declaring you were never a wife
nor were you legally wed
because of what your birth certificate said
misgendering you as they did it
not understanding
you were a pioneer
who accepted no limits
that others would rigidly impose on your desires
they couldn’t extinguish your fire

you made liars of hypocrites
you knew
who walked the highest of society’s corridors
and lived in places where gold cards met golden gates
to create a fortress
for those who could afford it
try as you might
you couldn’t ignore the map that nature had planned

though it was Caroline who would bring me
to an understanding of myself
through her I would learn of you see
the pioneer who sought to change the world
who chose the name April
to illustrate
that you could be
the change you wanted to be in the world
and made it a safer place for girls like me to blossom into ourselves

For 90 Minutes I Have To Remember Not To Love You (For Nicola Docherty)

In this poem I hope I show that at least in women’s football it is possible to like a player from an opposing side . You know the mortal enemy and a side who in other circumstances you wouldn’t want to win a raffle even if they bought every ticket bar one. As some of you may have guessed by my rather tounge in cheek introduction this poem is for a Rangers player. The player in question is perhaps unsurprisingly a former Glasgow City stalwart , Scotland full back Nicola Docherty who left us at the beginning of 2020 to join the club she had always supported. Well as we say at Glasgow City when you become involved with the club you soon realise that Once City Always City actually means exactly what it says and binds us together as one big happy if slightly mad family . It is for this reason that I’ve given it the title For 90 Minutes I Have To Remember Not To Love You. I hope you enjoy the read.

For 90 Minutes I Have To Remember Not To Love You (For Nicola Docherty)

You were always a rock in the heart of defence
when you wore our colours
now other supporters cheer you on
it is their fans who chant your name to the skies
the heart never lies and your smile
tells the world
how happy you are to play for the club
you’ve supported since you were a girl
I know how much it means to you
to wear the Rangers blue
as well as the darker hue of your country
but when your playing for our rivals
for 90 minutes I have to remember not to love you
this is not as easy as I would like it to be
you see you’d be a stonewall cert
to captain my equality eleven
a courageous leader on mission to win
and not just during the game
fairness not fame has always been
your way
you play the same as you’ve always done
a fierce tackler and a ferocious defender
you have the equalities agenda
in the centre circle of your world
you champion women and girls
with the same passion you show
whenever you pull on the jersey
and give all you have from kick off to final whistle
it’s always been the way you are
you never shirk a challenge nor will you ever do
no matter what shade of blue you’re wearing
your good positional sense dictates that you play it with care
it’s always been your tactic of choice
your loyalties can never be questioned
wearing your crest with pride illustrates the hallmark of the quality defender you are
combining a brave heart and an even braver head
which is why I need to try as best I can
to remember your an opponent now
you no longer grace our colours
so for 90 minutes I have to pretend
not to love you
and then when the final whistle blows
Remember exactly why I do

Neighbours

In this poem I take a look at the union between Scotland And England and compare it to a relationship which has run out of time and is no longer fit for purpose. I’ve given it the title Neighbours I hope you enjoy the read .

Neighbours

When we first became acquainted
love and hate came in equal measure
with hearts of fire

when we moved in
temperatures cooled
we respected each other
had boundaries and rules

On settling down
contentment brought us
to a place of togetherness

When routine came calling
habits became harder to break
we were over critical
of the smallest mistake

But when we realised
how much we’d been through
we made a decision
to remember the good times
And be neighbours
rather than flatmates

Smiling Through The Tears. (A Poem For Glasgow City On Winning Our 14th League Title In A Row)

It’s not that often I get too emotional over football and when I do it usually involves either the Scotland national team or the famous Glasgow Celtic. However since I started following the women’s game just after the 2019 World Cup I have supported Glasgow City and have done so because they stand alone as the only team in Scotland not to be part of a men’s club and focus exclusively on women and girls. Trust me I love this club with a passion just as I love Celtic with a passion and nothing will ever change that. So it is to celebrate the winning of a 14th consecutive league title that I’ve written this poem for my girls. I’ve titled it Smiling Through The Tears I hope you enjoy the read.

Smiling Through The Tears

This was it there was no turning back
death or glory rested on this 90 minutes
there could be no slip ups
as rivals lay waiting to take advantage of any mistakes
claim the title and make history of their own

they started well with two early goals
and trust me the news spread quickly
but we didn’t panic
we just kept calm and got on with the job
in the manner that champions do
though I won’t deny it was bricking it
especially in the early stages

with the game still tied
Lee pulled off the kind of save
that wins titles
it was vital not to lose an early goal
as I screamed beautiful9 expletives
at my TV screen
in poetic sighs of relief

then just like a dream we take the lead
Hayley rifles a shot to the net
suddenly we’re 1-0 in front
I let my emotions rip
yelling ya dancer at the top of my voice
I scream with delight
whilst praying all will be well
who says transwomen can’t multi task.

meanwhile Jo is making sure
we deny our opponents chances
by staying focused in midfield and defence
I am calm yet apprehensive
for those fans lucky enough to be there
I worry it could still go wrong
and others may yet sing a song of victory

we’re controlling the game
but for me there are shades of 98
I know what it’s like
praying for that second goal
to arrive
how my fingernails survived this 90 minutes
I’ll honestly never know

fortunately I didn’t have as long to wait
as I did for Brattbakk’s glory moment
and the second goal settled the nerves
Hayley the architect with a perfect delivery
setting up Niamh to score
I let out a roar when her header hit the net
and I realised that barring miracles fourteen in a row was really going to happen.

we played out the second half
with superb game management
as our injured skipper sat on the bench
kicking every ball in the way a legend does
as full time approached I was buzzing
but as soon as the whistle was blown
the emotions kicked in
as they do on days like this
when dreams come true
and early evening skies show names
of those written in glory

I was just about holding it together
then they interview my shero
who in case you didn’t know
scored the opening goal
and was named as player of the game
that was when the tears came
not in trickles but in torrents
I knew they would if I’m honest
it’s just the way I am
this fan has always worn her heart on her sleeve

then just as I’m drying my eyes
Jo comes up to the mic
as she smiles for the camera
to nobody’s surprise
the rivers run again
and I’m smiling through the tears
at a much deserved success
for our club , our colours. and our girls

Captain Our Captain (For Leanne Ross )

This short poem will hopefully be a rallying call to Glasgow City for the game on Sunday in which our girls need only one point to win the league for the 14th consecutive year. It is I think fair to say that one amazing woman has been instrumental in that glory run, I refer of course to our captain Leanne Ross. It is to Leanne I dedicate this poem which I’ve titled Captain Our Captain I hope you enjoy the read

NB As someone who listenes to Behind The Goals I thank Leanne Crichton for some important information on birthday’s which may have featured in this poem.

Captain Our Captain (For Leanne Ross).

As the big game approaches
our team knows the story
success can be ours
we’re just one game from glory
and we know who will lead us
to answer the call
the legend whose heart
is the biggest of all.

Captain Our Captain
we know what to do
as we go in to battle
we’ll win this for you
you have a big birthday
Leanne let us know
and the party can start
with 14 in a row

The Day The Clyde Turned Pink

In this poem which I wrote for International day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, I recall the events of Pride 2008 which was the first time I had attended it in my home city of Glasgow and explain why it was a very significant event on my journey to self acceptance. I’ve titled it The Day The Clyde Turned Pink I hope you enjoy the read

The Day The Clyde Turned Pink

Pride 2008
my first in my home city
dolled up to the nines
my flatmate walked with me
as the parade made its way
through Glasgow city centre
to the square

once there I mingled with friends
and a future first minister said
she liked my dress
when we spoke after her speech
this was a day when Glasgow reached out to our community
as the young and young at heart
waved to onlookers as cheering crowds took selfies
and Hazel Dean was the star attraction
belting out the classics
we sang at Karaoke
and danced to in the clubs and bars

this was a show in which we were the stars
who all had a part to play
in the unfolding drama of the day
and of course the adventures of the night
this was the first time my Glasgow had really felt right
I was walking the streets with pride
on the day the Clyde turned pink
to match the colour of my dress
and I said yes to accepting myself

Country Of The History Books

In this poem I look at the theme of change and how it gradually evolves over time until you realise you live in a very different world to the one you grew up in. I’ve titled it Country Of History Books. I hope you enjoy the read .

Country Of The History Books

As the morning skies
peer through bedroom windows
many féel the urge
to stay warm and safe
take five minutes before rising
to meet the challenges
the day will bring

The birds stopped singing
before you awoke from the sleep
and the dreams you can’t remember as you munch in to your corn flakes
you see a honey monster
imploring you to buy sugar puffs
the next time you do the weekly shop

Now with make up on
you feel ready to face the world
and make the most of the day
you’ve been given as a gift
as you wait for the bus
which forgets to arrive
the radio is playing staying alive
and you travel back in time
to the days of Star Wars and Saturday Night Fever
when you were the teenager
with dreams you couldn’t share with boys

You wore a mask
not out of choice but of necessity
in the days when parades had no rainbows
and colours were uniforms of hate
as a country slept
stubbornly refusing to wake up to need for change.

Of course it happened anyway
it always does
evolving over time in ways that go unnoticed
until you look back and find the country you once knew
in history books and TV documentaries
and are content to leave it there
getting on with the challenges
the day will provide for you to solve
not to mention the risks
some of which you might even enjoy
taking a chance on
remembering that was how you coped
growing up in the scheme

meanwhile you board the bus
to travel to destinations
you could have never imagined reaching
in the land of your teenage years
contented you leave the fears
you once knew
for others to view and future generations to see
on TV and in academic texts
as you leave behind
the country of the history books