All I Need

All I need is a chance to be heard and understood,

Not to be the mistake child who everyone talks about.

Not to be making six-digits and have nothing to spend it on.

Not to be living your dreams for you.

"Be a doctor,

Be an engineer,

Be a lawyer,"

That's all I ever hear.

Yes.

I'm different than the rest of the kids in our house,

Yes,

I'm different than the rest of the kids in the neighborhood,

No,

I will not be your puppet any more.

You robbed me of my childhood,

You filled me with dreams that weren't mine,

You talk about me with the whole family so I can't defend myself,

You reject me because I make you look bad.

I'm gay, yes.

I want to be a nurse.

Or a teacher.

Or an actor.

Life has given you a son for 18 years.

You need to give him back to life.