As a child I heard family members whispering about a male cousin. As an adult I realized he was gay. He did his best to live a straight life, at least in appearances. In the end, he took his own life.
they whispered,
in family circles
standing in the corner
at holiday events.
His dad is to blame,
they whispered,
hearing him demean his son
for the treats we all enjoyed
at backyard picnics.
Oh no, his mom is the one,
they whispered,
to blame for his ways,
an apron in the kitchen
stole his manhood away.
The whispers were heard
but not understood.
What is the problem?
So what if he bakes,
and likes to do hair?
How did he die,
they whispered,
what could it have been?
Only a lifetime of hiding
The person within.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Read 33 times
Written on 2025-10-09 at 20:57
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Beneath the Whispers
He’s a sissy,they whispered,
in family circles
standing in the corner
at holiday events.
His dad is to blame,
they whispered,
hearing him demean his son
for the treats we all enjoyed
at backyard picnics.
Oh no, his mom is the one,
they whispered,
to blame for his ways,
an apron in the kitchen
stole his manhood away.
The whispers were heard
but not understood.
What is the problem?
So what if he bakes,
and likes to do hair?
How did he die,
they whispered,
what could it have been?
Only a lifetime of hiding
The person within.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Read 33 times
Written on 2025-10-09 at 20:57
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text|
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