DEAR SOCIETY
A poem about the difficulties coming out as gay in today’s society.
When the rainbow is pouring out of my soul,
Revealing stories, stories that have been until now untold
Feeling society’s puppeteer pulling the curtain strings closed,
Keeping my secrets from being exposed.
My thoughts wonder into the terrifying abyss,
Of hoping to achieve mental and social bliss.
Of walking outside the worlds metaphorical closet,
That in respect of coming out, seems quite apposite.
But feeling the cold and judgemental chains of civilisation,
Lock tighter round me causing asphyxiation.
I revert back to the comfort of hiding that pride,
Changing those bright colours to black, pushing them aside.
Society making me feel I should be opposed to my own mind,
Shutting that closest and leaving what’s in there behind.
When is the right time to show who I really am?
Or should I conform, like my life choices are banned?
This closet we speak of, now society’s colloquial term,
Seems to be hiding me away, leaving m decision adjourned.
– Ashley Brookes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am a 28 year old from Essex. I came out as gay when I was 16 and I am in a relationship now of just over 2 years. Coming out as gay was a scary time for me as I really worried about the acceptance from family, friends and society generally. I kept my feelings hidden for sometime and dear society is a poem about how I felt whilst I was hiding. I am a nurse by trade, but a keen poet and I use poetry as a way of venting my emotion.