Glasgow Pride, 2017
Raindrops fall on neon faces
Colours run together
creating a crowd of tie dye delights
Glitter sticks stubbornly to skin
The dullness of the day
will not rid us of our sparkle
We huddle together
L G B and T
A queer umbrella
shields us from the misery
and unites us under its bright banner
On stage, four men
create magic
with their mouths
Somewhere... over the rainbow
...blue birds fly
Harmonies
melting over us
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Oh why, oh why can't I?
Lyrics echo, behind hopeful eyes
as old thoughts come caving in
Why can't I
be normal?
Why can't I be straight?
but we keep singing
Louder and louder
drowning out all that quiets us
The music swells
as if to say
Dare those dreams
Dare to love
whoever
You Choose.
~
Almost in response,
the sky opens up
offering hope from behind the grey clouds
A thousand faces seem to gaze up at once
Laughs and shouts ring out
Laid bare before the eyes of the community,
like God themself was flying our flag
A Rainbow!
~
Beside me, a friend chuckles
and looks over, beaming
Ha! she says
Maybe God doesn't hate us.
Kirsty Anne Watters
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