Everyday Tea

My friends Sit at the checker top table Play chess while sipping tea Intent on winning Our culture whispers down our spine: that is the goal. Our culture also told us that Even though I always win at chess And I know the names of every kind of tea there is My intellect is meaningless Because I am gay. If I liked boys Like all my other "normal" friends Then I would sit on a stage Applauded for my wins Applauded for my triumphs Applauded for achieving the goal. But no, oh no Shun me because I am less Less because I am "different" Different because culture is scared. I'll keep playing Keep singing Keep kissing who I want to kiss I know of jasmine, of mint, of chamomile Just as I know of you, of me, of straight, of gay I stand up to scream at the whispered culture I am me and that is as great as anything!