In the shades of twilight and dawn, I stand firm,
Labeled, judged, whispered upon, terms that churn.
Sapphic love, dyke, butch, femme, words once stern,
A language borrowed from shadows, causing concern.
The murmurs, they echo in corners obscure,
Accusations in silence, words meant to allure,
\"Queer\", they pointed, a title to endure,
Now an armor of pride, love in its purest contour.
\"Homosexual\", \"gay\", \"lesbian\", the names they infer,
Were words that did sting, a blurry past I remember.
Yet, the edges have softened, the colors no longer blur,
They no longer sting, but glow in love\'s ember.
For what is in a name, but a label, an insignia,
A marker of difference, a symbol of stigma?
Yet, the heart knows love, not boundaries, nor the enigma,
We are but human, thriving in life\'s vibrant regalia.
Gone are the days of hiding, of silent tears,
I stand in the open, casting aside fears.
In acceptance, I found strength, amongst my peers,
Unchained by the names, I let out cheers.
So call me what you will, for I\'ve learned to see,
Past the terms and phrases, I find my spree.
A lesbian, gay, queer, I choose to be,
No longer bothered, for in love, I am free.
© Susie Stiles-Wolf