in the closet

uncomfortable hatred

casual dislike

heart on edge

whenever the word is whispered

i hear them say it

in that hushed tone

because it’s them

they are the abnormalities.

i am the isolated

talk about myself

in the third person

i hide in plain sight

i dodge difficult questions

their faces twist

the same way my gut does

when they are mentioned.

did you hear

she asks

her eyes are open and wild

that she is

you know

she looks at me

i shake my head

oh

you know

a lesbian!