A poet and LGBT activist from Boston has penned an emotionally raw letter in which he apologizes to his younger self and mourns the loss of his ability to bear children naturally. Ethan Smith, 22, decided to write the 'letter to the girl I used to be' when he began transitioning six months ago, Buzzfeed reports. Ethan, who was born 'Emily', then turned the letter into a poem and recited it for during the finals of the 2014 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational in Boulder, Colorado that was sponsored by Button Poetry. During a tearful speech, Ethan apologized to Emily for taking so long to transition, and attempted to explain the confusion and torment he suffered during childhood and adolescence growing up in Washington state.Ethan Smith, 22, told his past self that he was sorry for not transitioning soonerHe also mourned for having to give up the ability to create biological children in order to become his true self
Finally, he tells _ that she will always be a part of his journey - and of him.