No parades

I never went to any parades

I was embarrassed

My religion told me I would be in hades

It was 1999,

I tried to come out to my hippie mom.

She really didn't want to accept.

And the doubt did crept.

About who I really was.

I would take no pride.

And I would secretly hide, from who I was.

Because of purity.

Even though I had none.

I really wanted to explore this side, and I tried.

But I shut it down, ironically out of pride.

Until some 20 years later or more

When humanity opened up the pride store

Still I am a very private person

Though people think the opposite

Coming out a little more

But my religious leaning made me feel like a whore

But at my core

I felt free

More accepting

Of me

Which made me more protecting

Of the next generation

Whatever that be

Granted not the end of my story

Who knows how it will end?

Or blend

Into the next story?

Of the following generation?

But I did never go to parade.

Because I was always afraid.

But maybe one day I will step forward and march with those who are courageous, so I have a story to tell about after.