In a world where certainty and knowledge are praised
I find myself alone
Wondering if I am loved at all
When really I don't know
Is my value and worth dependent on
What my brain and conscience KNOW
Must I agree with people to be loved by them
I hope the answer's a resounding "NO!"
I would hope that it's okay with some
That I can't wrap my head around
The meaning and origin of the universe
Which has become a battle ground
I would like to be honest if that's okay
I don't want a debate or a fight
I struggle at most, and hope at best
But I'm up against "Wrong or Right"
I don't need to be evangelized
I just want to know if they'll try
To understand me before they judge me
This is my heart felt cry
I didn't plan to be where I am today
I just found that I couldn't believe
In a lot of things that just don't make sense
This, I'm trying to get them to see
This is not an easy journey
I have already lost so much
There is pain along this pathway
When who I am is not good enough
So who among the many
Still holding tight to what they "know"
Will find a place in their heart for me
A person, a human, not just a soul
All I want in this life is to be loved and to love
That has to matter more
Love has to define my every move
It needs to be real to the core
Nothing in this world
No religion or restriction
Can replace something so pure as love
In all of it's conviction
Love can only be the essence
That can bring us back to each other
It is something so universal
For every sister and brother
It's my hope that one day soon
I won't have to hide in shame
That who I am will be okay
And I won't have to play their game
I will be honored and valued
For who I am and who I love
And everything else will fall behind
Because Love will be enough
© Ruby Neumann
Poet's note: Written February 12, 2021. It is two days before Valentines Day and I am perusing the theme of love and what it looks like to me. When do I feel loved? I guess I feel loved, when I am seen as a person on a journey. I don't feel loved when I feel like a fish. Most fish have one purpose… to be eaten. The rest get stuck in a bowl, tank or pond for some human's pleasure. I don't see that as love. I guess that is why I never had fish as pets. I couldn't see myself able to love them.
