Pulse

Check my pulse

See?

I’m alive

I’m breathing!

No matter the words,

the guns,

the wrong

I’m right here

in front of you

Living, loving!

Check my pulse

See?

I’m alive

I’m breathing!

I’m on top of the world

Full of love to give

And receive

And keep

And give away, later

When I’m older

Check my pulse

See?

I’m alive

I’m breathing!

I’m not going anywhere

This is my place,

My city, my country

I belong here

at home, at work, at parks

at clubs

Check my pulse

See?

I’m alive

I’m breathing!

I’m ready to Pride

to sing, to dance

To get married

To have children

To take care of my loved ones

To work, to create

Check my pulse

See?

I’m alive

I’m breathing!

And you are too

We are together

Sharing

Celebrating

Loving

Living!

Check my pulse

See?

I’m alive

I’m breathing!

In the flesh

In the memories of our loved ones

In our actions

In our words

In our legacy to the world

In all our queerness