I remember how I used to walk, rigid as if my path was outlined in chalk,
Head down, not making a sound, afraid to lift my head and look around,
The shadow walker, the odd one, Brown skin but feeling unloved by the sun,
Walking the path of convention, straight and narrow, like a clipped-wing sparrow,
I often retreated into the world inside my mind, always felt ignored or left behind,
Unwelcome stranger in the once beautiful garden of Eden that is now a hard molded zoo of danger,
Clothed from head toe, Face a mask of control and lamented disdained woe,
I remember the feelings of possible prosperity that became despair in university,
Frat boys in their Abercrombie & Fitch uniforms who conform to the norm, big boy and their toys,
Sorostitutes who were pretty thin and cute,
If asked a deep question their answers would be a giggle or to stare blank and mute,
Venturing outside this enclave of lower learning,
Began my existence's subtle then rapidly changing turning,
I remember an open mic night in November,
Entering through the door to hear an artist with a mesmerizing timbre,
Through out the song I stood simply enchanted,
When it was over I felt my feet were somehow planted,
Gazing upon this unique, down-to-earth muse,
I Wanted to talk but was so nervous, my sweating profuse,
In a bold move for one like me I signed up on the list to present,
Quickly wrote a poem to give that prior to that night I had no hint,
Hearing my name called my heart and thoughts raced,
Would it be good enough to say, or an utter disgrace,
I spoke into the microphone, feeling vulnerable and alone,
Drowning into the words I once again entered the world that was my own,
I was snapped out of my trance by the sound of claps and finger snaps,
Unexpected and spent I nearly collapsed,
I quickly strode out of the room into the comfort of night,
Pulling out my smokes while searching for a light,
Suddenly with a click a spark shone in the limbo of dark,
I was presented with a flame, my mind left with a burning mark,
That flash of fire illuminated that face, consummated desire,
And I was taken, to say any less would make me a liar,
Closing the space that was a crumbling wall is hard to recall,
The world imploded, with a kiss everything else became insignificant and small,
Lips, fingers, bodies pressing together counteracting the chilly weather,
In those arms I was unleashed, no longer bound by invisible tethers,
Breaking the shell that this world constantly forces on us all in a no refund sell,
I was crucified, justified, revitalized, sanctified, melted away on the inside,
Brought to the point my fingernails left light red trails while my breath became a passionate gale,
Brought back inside the time stream from a too-good to be true dream that still makes me cry,
Broken down, after being lost found, to exist free as xy
Thank you for all being so wonderful beautiful and diverse.
