This shell wasn’t meant to open,
Not when the tepid world could never
See the beauty within the calm of lilac,
The serene scent of stargazers,
Or symmetric patterns of hydrangeas

Invisible, walking among
Miserable, unable to remain strong
Malleable to conformist reform,
Toe the line - chanting “one of us!”

Lies told in mirrors
While the mirrors reflect truth,
Yearning for you to see beauty in -
Vivid viola, Cherry blossoms, or blue forget-me-nots.
Longing for you to see me.

And when I took the chance,
Hatched from this husk,
Let the real explore like a settler
Claiming myself one among an adoptive tribe
I knew the doors to your imaginary kingdom would close,

Now, I’m just one of those
No longer worthy of accolade,
Not receiving past praise
Of blazed trails of those I’ve laid
Endowment blessed,
Heart is an open hotel to rest your head
Vacated and yellow taped
Murdered because I dared to show you

Beauty in nightshade, pink rose, and iris
Neon pink, UV purple, and Cold cathode blue
My compass was never broken; it always rang true
It’s just led me through detours to journey here

And I must ask,
Blunt as I could make it.
Until you're unable to turn away
And left to face this,

Truly,
Dearly,

Is it because I’m Bi?