i learned to live

like i was watched.

cut myself smaller,

taught my storms

to stay quiet.

because labels stick.

they become you.

but you . . .

you burn in public,

call it truth,

throw sparks

into dry futures

and never look back.

no pause.

no weight.

just a name

you wear like pride.

and when it all catches . . .

we’ll see it clearly:

you were never speaking

for us.

only

for you