I Am Still Here

After the parade,

when all the flags have been taken down,

and the rainbow logos have disappeared,

I am still here.

I am still here,

walking over the faded rainbow crosswalks

on my way to my local comic shop

to pick up the books that I will spend

hours talking to my partner about

on a phone call we can't seem to let end.

I am still here,

shamelessly flirting with my friends

as we watch movies and play roleplaying games together,

finding ways to tell the stories we wished

we'd had years ago.

I am still here,

coating my canvas in shades of

pink, purple and blue

during a painting night with my roommate.

I am still here,

happy and proud,

knowing that I found myself,

and found my place,

when I found my people.