They

*****

It is most unusual
Yes, it’s passing rare
Although I’ve looked everywhere
Find even those of pity full

Free of need to place some folk
Lower than the rest
Some the “worst” and some the “best”
Some to kiss and some to poke

Who may not enjoy
The felicity
Of authenticity
So artifice employ

Eternally wary
To disguise
That which the the more wise
Find arbitrary:

In one neighborhood
If you wear blue
Everybody thinks that you
Must be up to no good;

See, she wears her jewelry
Somewhat larger
Clothing smaller
Than is held acceptably;

He likes kissing other men;
She dies her hair pink;
Independent this one think
For herself, and then

Act upon with certainty
Her examined self-belief
(Jailed for bringing same relief
To friend as enemy)

There are almost none can say
Among us here today,
As sad as it is to say,
That they don’t have a “They”

*****
Among us, poets are not paid. The poet/editor of this website, being physically disabled, lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level. Become a patron of the fine arts at: https://www.gofundme.com/are-you-a-patron-of-the-arts