She

an email blind copied
sent to my ex and myself

the contents simple
from the person arranging
parent-time exchanges

recently,
I’ve been consuming legal documents
which either
misgender me or
sidestep pronouns

so when the email came
I expected the same

I wasn't prepared for the flood of emotion
for the profound effect it had on me

it wasn't a word
it wasn't three letters

it was recognition

I was there
I was seen

she