The Art of Embracing Authenticity: A Poem on Coming Out

"The Closet"

My back hit the wall,

Black waterfalls streaming down my face,

Shoes piled under me.

My face hidden between the hanging garments.

Unable to speak,

sobs uncontrollably escape my lips.

In this closet I felt alone,

discarded as a freak.

Shoved into this dark space,

by the one man I wanted to love me.

My heart heavy with fear,

I stayed hidden in the bottom of this closet.

I wrote this poem about living in an abusive home with my father as a closeted teenager. It isn't a time I like to reflect on often, but when I do, it feels suffocating. For years I felt unsafe in a world where being different was wrong. It wasn't until I was in my mid-twenties I finally felt free enough to be whoever I want to be. I still fight to shed the expectations of those who saw "such potential" in me, but everyday I feel like I am getting closer to meeting my own expectations.

The world will always try to stifle those who hold true to themselves. Here's to being unapologetically ourselves. No matter your gender, sex, race, social status, history etc. I hope you find the courage to keep being yourself.

happy new year <3,

haley

ps. have a picture of my cat binx