DZUNISANICHERYLMABASO

I hide myself in a closet,
Envying my brothers and sisters
Who are out—
Just as rainbow as me.
I hide myself
As if being me is a shame.
I am in a serious relationship
That I cannot even present to my parents.
Born into a religion
Where being me is a shame.
“Marry a man, marry a woman”—
That is the expectation,
The only mold you must fit into
Or become the black sheep
Of the church,
The family,
The community.
But I am pride.
I have to come out of my closet.
Because if religion is love,
Then my love cannot be wrong.
I love my rainbow community.
I love me.
I am love.
I am a pride petal.