The Enby Manifesto
by Danny McLaren
McLaren’s hybrid chapbook is a collection of poetry and micro CNF “full of trans/enby rage, love, desire, and dreams of the future.” It’s about body, mind, love, desire, shape, and hope”—a body and an identity “writing itself into existence.” This micro examines that which is given and that which is chosen, and, yes, it includes a manifesto. Sharp, witty, vulnerable in places, The Enby Manifesto claims space and makes room for others to come along and be themselves. (Porkbelly Press 2023)
open edition
20 pages
Additional Info
EXCERPT
I WANT TOP SURGERY
I want two crescent moons on my chest
loose fitting t shirts and swim trunks and bare flesh.
stitches like kisses,
pink lipstick stains across my skin.
I want scars that are joyful
to keep close to my heart, keep happily,
press my fingers to fondly in celebration.
in desire. in worship.
I want to give away binders
stretched out,
impressions of a space I used to fill.
a shapeshifter all this time in the making.
I want to love my body for what it once was
nostalgic with acceptance,
and to surely, deeply love it for what it can be.
I see the shapes this body can take
and I want to write them into existence,
be my own queer futurity,
create my own utopia out of flesh and fat.
an altar atop my chest.
let me dream those crescent moons.
let me not be burdened anymore.
ABOUT THE POET
Danny McLaren is a neurodivergent, Jewish, queer, trans and non-binary writer and poet living in Katarokwi, what is colonially known as Kingston, Ontario. They have an MA in Gender Studies from Queen’s University, with research focusing on trans and queer world-making in independent video games. They write about living queerly, loving their friends, and their own trans body. The Enby Manifesto is their second chapbook. Keep up with them on twitter @dannymclrn.
ABOUT THE COVER ARTIST
Marisa Thoman is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Cincinnati, OH. You can find more of her work on marisathoman.com or on Instagram @thomandesign.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Work in this chapbook previously appeared in CURA Magazine issue 72, Antilang Magazine, Vancouver Pride Magazine, and Vulcanalia 21 (Lupercalia Press).