Like Helicopter Wings Ready to Soar

I lived for many years

with my proverbial hands

at my sides --

prim and proper,

contained and acceptable,

limited and stifled. 

 

Now I raise my arms

parallel with the horizon --

like helicopter wings ready to soar --

no longer contained

to someone else's

idea of who I should be

or what is acceptable,

expressing my full self,

embodying

strength and

compassion and 

justice and 

peace and

kindness and 

confidence and 

PRIDE. 

 

Now I am at home

in my body -- just like

I used to be as a 

small, queer kid

in the middle of nowhere Indiana

before the world got its claws

on me.