The Pronoun Symphony

text by Rodney Sharman

Pronoun experts will advise

Not to trust an outward guise,

Ask what pronoun best applies

You can’t be decidin’.

Binary is so passé

Gender variations and gradations

Shades of grey

May need a singular of “They”,

As the spectrum widens.

Listen cis, and follow me.

Smash linguistic tyranny.

Celebrate diversity

Coming out of hidin’!

Binary is so passé

Whether lesbian or bi or straight

Or trans or gay.

Gender neutral, butch or fey,

Don’t be left behind, friend.

Gender roles have had their day.

Listen as I show the way.

Mastering the pronoun “They”,

To this tune of Haydn!

I, me, me, my, mine

We, us, us, our, ours

You, you, you, your, yours,

That was singular

Plural sounds the same:

You, you, you, your, yours

She, her, her, her, hers

He, him, him, his, his

They, them, them, their, theirs,

That was singular

Plural sounds the same:

They, them, them, their, theirs

Just like “you” and “you”!

Thou and thee, and thy and thine are gone and

One, one, one, one’s, one’s were left behind

Soon, alas, the royal “We”!

That loss rather saddens me.

Binary is so passé

Gender variations and gradations

Shades of grey

Need a singular of “They”,

Don’t be compromisin’! 

Copyright Rodney Sharman, September 2017