On the water there

A petal breaks the silence, suddenly submerged lungs aching for breath,

alone,

more words tumble from the mouth.

Mirror, mirror,

As I speak to you

the petal finds a break

in the waves

and rises to the shore again.

The line is rehearsed,

red orange yellow green blue purple red orange yellow

green

blue

purple

spilled from the lips like trees shedding 

for the snow.

This sapling, borne from a Seed,

a Mother,

now filled to the brim with petals of every color

Begging to be known.

Her Soft Eyes trace the wake, grasp the red

orange

yellow

green

and blue.

Lifts it, cradles it, just as the earth cradled you upon the Seed's deliverance

Dirt is found under your lips, lids, and lashes yet there is plenty room

for Autumn's colors to spill in, envelop you, and grow again and kindly, those

Soft Eyes

Pluck you from the waters, pat your back, expel the waters from your lungs

and hold you, and your rainbow, and your queerness because the Mother is kind

and she gave you this life

and thereby,

your rainbow.

It is no longer water or mud in your lungs, but light, crisp as Spring

Summer winds blowing by as you whisper your truths from ear to ear,

blooming in you

P R I D E

L O V E

and the confidence to call for

E Q U A L I T Y.