Every day I bare my soul
I must suspend my disbelief,
eradicate the need for affirmation
behind my every breath
so I can sing that
yes, I am alive and well
and worthy of something,
though I know not what.
These words must be trained
to spring from the shadows
unafraid to shout to the puppetmaster
their disavowal of its ownership
because they speak the truth,
the treasonous truth
from which I try to hide
but cannot
because they must be heard.
They will be heard
because for the first time
in these years of existence
I have the courage to declare that
yes, I am alive and well
and worthy of something,
though I know not what,
and still you are here.

It need not be 'and' or 'or',
There's room for both,
And so much more.

Closeted, our life grows staid,
Bound to tracks that habit laid.

We yearn for change, we yearn for 'more',
Yet trawl the paths we've walked before.

At close of day, when darkness calls,
Do we rejoice, or hold remorse?

I know just where I'm going
And what I have to do
I’ve looked into alternatives
And discovered what is true.

I've got my mind made up
I'm in possession of the facts
I recognize the pitfalls
And how confusion acts.

There is a higher road
And I am going to take it.
I am going to change my course
And I am not going to fake it.
I’m going to speak my mind
If I am ever really asked.
I will tell the honest truth
That will train me for the task.

It took a very long time
For me to get myself here.
I had to stiffen my resolve
And face up to my fears.

I had to choose between
Pretty lies and hard reality.
I had to let illusion go;
Let truth be the best for me.

I’ll take the higher road
And I am going to take it.
I now have changed my course
And I refuse to fake it.
I’ll welcome those people
Who love me who I have become.
I will tell the honest truth
Let that be my rule of thumb.