to live by others’ fantasies
is rarely ever wise:
when sex and power get mixed up
it’s often love that dies

our many possibilities
are rarely understood;
the freedom that we know we have –
it should be used for good

the window of our hearts should be
protected by its casement;
the life we choose to live should have
a minimum abasement

there’s bravery required when
we strike out on our own,
but oh the waves that we could ride –
they’re bigger than we’ve known

but we should not be modeled after
characters from fiction,
but plug into real life amid
this world of contradiction

to open up your eyes and heart
and spread your arms out wide —
we know life has its terrors that
are hard to brush aside —

but still, the day is given us.
And so, today, for me:
I hope to ride the waves
Of my own real
Identity