By the time

I am able to come out

of the closet

and live as myself,

it may be too late.

I didn’t get to

have a girlhood.

Now I may not

get to have a life.

Politicians are trying

to outlaw my existence.

They praise the freedom

of this country

as they plot genocide

for anyone not like them.

God bless the USA.

It has been a long journey

and I have worked hard

to become myself,

to love and accept myself.

And it’s so frustrating

that my final destination

may be nowhere.

I’m waiting for never,

a day that is not coming

or maybe one that already passed

where I can be myself safely

without fear,

with joy.

The future I hoped for

dies a little more each day.