Beyond Closet Doors

When I was only three years old and able to hold onto pencils,

My mother asked me, a small inquiry,

What is it that you draw?

“Men,” I replied, and she quickly complied

That artwork might be in my future.

And nobody knew I liked men

Back then, no one thought me gay.

Many years later in my rainbow print room,

Next to the doll I requested from St. Nick.

I wore a t-shirt that said, “I’m going straight”

And my mother snapped

A very nice pic.

And nobody knew I liked men

Back then, no one thought me gay.

When I chose to come out it was hard on me

To explain the signs that people ignored.

Because nobody acknowledged the hints that I shared,

No one accepted that I could be gay.

What I wish I had known, what I’d like to pass on

Is to listen to stories of others,

But when the time comes and you’re ready to share,

(We all deserve love and we all deserve care)

Don’t stop to think who needs to be told,

Just be true to yourself and your life will unfold.

Because you get to choose who you tell what you are

And what you are shouldn’t matter a bit.

You’ll be happy and healthy if you just be yourself

And you get to decide your right fit.