How do I put aside the fiend
the monster within this skin
when society waits to judge
with their pitchforks stained with blood?
their voices scream so loud
from a thousand paper cuts
compliance asked by the norm
with erasure as their preference
who I am is disallowed
by the ones most alarmed
by existence on this earth
of a child with different thoughts
“it’s a phase, confusion’s reign”
I wonder at this refrain
when I’ve known for decade’s time
with passing privilege near at hand
those I respect fill me with fear
wondering how they’ll react
drop kind regard when they confront
to know the truth about the queer
the most strident will have their fear
could wreck my life, my happiness
as respect that used to be
is replaced by cruel intolerance
the only answer I have at hand
two in fact, the first is worse
is to hide, build up good will
and hope this forgives the fiend within.
© 2017. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20170423.
Watching videos on YouTube videos, on the subject of bisexual erasure, prompted me to write the poem “Fiend Within”. What is bisexual erasure? Is is the pervasive problem in which the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality (either in general or in regard to an individual) is questioned or denied outright. It is also a difficult place to be in a society with already judgmental attitudes towards people without straight gender attractions. They may feel a betrayal, evoking the whole, “So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth”. The only answer I’ve found is to present a human face to the larger society, and to let those who struggle know that they’re not alone.