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.'