Every day, I inch
Out

to every character
in my life:

Mom and Dad. On the
patio of the white house that almost always
looked
like a home.

Friends. Told quick, before I had
time
to take back my
breath.

Four siblings. Who made
fun of me like
normal to make me feel
just a little
lighter inside.

Every person I will meet in the future-
Employers,
Clients,
Extended family
God (?)

Coming out is like a caterpillar,
Inching toward something --
inching toward flying
inching
              and inching
                                    and inching
Out.

Oh caterpillar,
hesitant little caterpillar,
climbing
up the tree,
cocooning various parts
of yourself
as you inch toward who you’ll be.