Heart on My Spectral Sleeve (poem)

the magic of reparenting the inner child

the first stanza of my poem handwritten on a wavy rainbowy background with Sawako (from the manga and anime 'From Me to You') to the side, smiling and eyes full of wonder. There's a mother dolphin with her calf on the bottom.

---

little me

would look at now me

all wide-eyed, gap-toothed grin,

mind full of wonder

and marvel at this grownup

they dreamed of becoming,

of calling father/mother.

No more mocks or jabs

or peers talking behind my back,

just genuine belly laughs

infused with wholehearted acceptance.

No longer in locked closets

hiding from parents and bigots alike.

No longer hiding from m y s e l f

sporting itchy attire that tires

this body into meltdown.

I wear my kaleidoscopic heart on my spectral sleeve

with baggy bright pants instead of dull tight jeans.

I am unapologetically me in ways little me wouldn't believe!