Whether under the sun
or under the stars
Whether close by
or traveling far
We'll lay out our blanket
and eat our snacks
Smile at each other
then rest on our backs
We'll reminisce about the past
but only the best parts
As we feel each other's love
in our picnic of hearts
For so long
I fell into step
Like a soldier
Marching to a drum
Desperate for acceptance
I chased my warped idea
Of “belonging”
Twisting and changing
Caring so much about
what everyone else wanted
But what
about
me?
I want to paint my nails
to wear a skirt and soft sweater
I want to stare up at the sky
and daydream about magic
I care what you want
But I can't force you to accept me
Instead
I'll do what I love
Because in the end
I love ME
I am here
I am visible
I will be seen
Speaking out
is scary
can get me hurt
ostracized
abandoned
But this is who I am
and I will be me
I will not be silent
No matter how loud I have to be
I will let the world know
that I
EXIST