Carefully Poem by Mary Champion

How carefully I have to choose my words
in case I cause offence or start a war.
Their meanings change in many ways and now
I'm not sure what I'm saying anymore.

It's hard to keep abreast of all the rules
that dictate designations now in vogue,
I've trod on eggshells, frightened I might wound,
but now I fear my language may go rogue.

I've kept up with the terms for race and creed -
at least I hope I always show respect.
But now there is a new minefield to cross
which means I'm not sure how to be correct.

I understand some people want to change
the gender they were burdened with at birth.
I have no problem if they feel the need
to alter that and nourish their self-worth.

But when I meet a stranger who appears
to be a he or she, forgive me pray,
if instinct fails to spot the subtle signs
that this one wants to be addressed as ‘they'.

Carl Jung established long ago, I've heard,
we're all a mix of both and sometimes feel
the urge of anima or animus
and being a bit ‘Bi' is no big deal.