For LHR, on your birthday

You choose the wrong news, but
you carried me home
when I was too little or too tired
to take each step myself.

You follow the fear evangelists, but
you pitched your high tenor
into every family harmony,
and stored the funny stories.

You vote for harmful people, but
you saw the hungry girl in me and
gave me a beauty tool
when I was peak of awkward.

You want what I can’t stand, but
you eased my way.
You took my side in all the battles
for more freedom and a larger life.