Fiend Within
How do I put aside the fiend
the monster within this skin
when society waits to judge
with their pitchforks stained with blood?
their voices scream so loud
from a thousand paper cuts
compliance asked by the norm
with erasure as their preference
who I am is disallowed
by the ones most alarmed
by existence on this earth
of a child with different thoughts
“it’s a phase, confusion’s reign”
I wonder at this refrain
when I’ve known for decade’s time
with passing privilege near at hand
those I respect fill me with fear
wondering how they’ll react
drop kind regard when they confront
to know the truth about the queer
the most strident will have their fear
could wreck my life, my happiness
as respect that used to be
is replaced by cruel intolerance
the only answer I have at hand
two in fact, the first is worse
is to hide, build up good will
and hope this forgives the fiend within.
© 2017. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20170423.