Duchess Ellington Poem by Joe Rosochacki

Oh, Ricardo, alias Racquel,
Why do you want to sue me?
For others, as myself, the State of Michigan,
And you behind prison bars, HA, do tell, do tell,
It is apparent that you a transsexual in transition,
-not an enviable position
You’re not a woman, not a man,
If you are confused your fate, then,
Do you expect to understand as well?
You expect the state should pay to complete your sex change,
Your anatomy to be a charge of the state to be rearranged,
You stated that you wish to be a female inmate …
which I understand completely,
For you were under physical and psychological duress at the
Riverside Correctional Facility,
You’ve been castrated, received breast implants, and had undergone hormonal treatments
By your very own account,
Well it is up to finish you up, Racquel,
Now that’s just swell.
Oh Racquel,
I wish you well,
But not if I have to pay, And by some weird fluke,
If you were begot by a Duke he would a daughter instead of a son,
Then you would forever be known as Duchess Ellington.