Just to look
Never to reach
never as good as it could be
a failure to try
judge so harshly
discouraged to take a chance

Secrets are kept
wishes go unfulfilled
one suffers alone
fear is prison
nothingness is home

A feeling of insignificance
desire for love
hope for acceptance
calling for a voice
without condescension

I hope you understand
what I am missing

It is sad to think
of the friendships I gave up
because I didn't speak out
and I wonder

Would our lives be better
if I had tried
or would they be worse

The cultural paradigm has encouraged me to be shy
as some answers are found through ridicule
and there is much sensitivity that has guided me
yet I drive myself crazy wondering what if

I'm starting to see that truly I don't need to justify myself
I should embrace myself and others who do as well
if we can coexist together