This is the poem I wanted to write
But seven years old - 'Turn out that light'
'Follow the rules and you'll turn out alright
And do as I say, I'm not wrong, always right'
 
This is the poem I wanted to share
Twelve years old, finding curious hair
Scared of the night and a noise on the stairs
A whirl of emotions, not knowing who cared
 
This is the story I wanted to tell
As I came to my twenties but death came as well
I battled with grief as away the words fell
Silently crying in my personal hell
 
This is the poem I wanted to read
During nights spent in darkness, the nights I would bleed
Alone with my demons, my torment would feed
Never quite gave enough but came back with their greed
 
This was a story where no one would listen
Whispered by lips shaping dreams that I'd wish on
Impossible tears on my cheeks they would glisten
Kept away from my loved ones, created division
 
But this is the poem I can tell you about
Not just in whispers, I've learned how to shout
About darkness and pain, it's okay to let out
Despite the anxiety and endless self-doubt
 
These are the words that describe who I am
They are powerful, wonderful, they mean that I can
They give strength, they give hope, make me not just a man
Never fitted the profile or followed the plan
 
These are the words that I'd like you to see
To consider these thoughts from my mind, now they're free
Though it's not what they wanted, who they thought I should be
Love gave me freedom to let me be me.