“While in real life he is a human, to other participants of the video call — including Judge Roy B. Ferguson of the 394th Judicial District Court in Texas — he looked like a cat.

Specifically, a white cat with gray markings and large, despairing eyes.”

-Lewis-Clark Valley News

There’s something odd

about this soft look on me,
a Texas attorney, but I can’t
turn the filter off.

Can you hear me, Judge?

I am prepared to go forward.



Ellie Gordon is a nonbinary trans writer from Washington State. Their work is forthcoming with Hobart After Dark, and previously found in Wondrous Real Magazine, Rejection Letters, Ligeia Magazine, and Jellyfish Review. They tweet at @autonomousbagel