Bruised Rouge
Real Pride is rejecting what we are not and embracing who we are.
Jonny Evans
Bruised Rouge
Rouge stained bruises
reject the mask of squared shoulders
deep voices strained as conformity smoulders
charring the spirit
searing the soul
forging us bent.
Rouge tabooed to soil the mask
clung to with shameful fear of its loss
Bruises testify to emotionally castrated strength
faltering through charades of chasing the us
that can never be us, needing to lie
terrorised by the dread of exposure.
Queer shadows persist emotions resist
suppressed so tight
gag-buried from sight
lest pretence to blight
lest hooded ignorants cast their spite
grasp futile hopes they might desist.
See them.
Know them.
Reject them.
Whole men - more than weakness masking fear of fear
Bruises hold no terror
Rouge’s blush proves we’re alive.
About the Creator
Jonny Evans
I quit the job, sold the house, and am now at university studying to be a writer. I have things to express and hope that the words might have meaning for others. I'm single, queer and a cancer survivor. Feedback welcome.
Keep reading
More stories from Jonny Evans and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.