Born into a world that chose the wrong,
A truth denied, a silent song.
He walked a path both brave and steep,
A soul too fierce for them to keep.
The small town whispered behind closed doors,
Fear and hatred like sharpened swords.
But Brandon lived with honest grace—
A man who fought to find his place.
One night the darkness found him near,
With fists of rage and voices sneer.
A cruel betrayal, hate’s grim art,
That tore the flesh but not the heart.
They tried to steal his rightful name,
Erase the fire, douse the flame.
But in the echoes, loud and clear,
Brandon’s courage still draws near.
A name remembered, a truth that stands—
A beacon born from broken lands.
Though violence tried to snuff his light,
His story calls us to the fight.
-
Author:
Matthew R. Callies (
Offline) - Published: June 22nd, 2026 00:06
- Comment from author about the poem: Poem number 22 for Pride Month. This poem is dedicated to Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was raped and, along with Phillip DeVine and Lisa Lambert, murdered in Humboldt, Nebraska in 1993.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 7
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange
- In collections: Bloodletters and Badmen, The Continuance of Us.
Offline)
Comments2
Well written in good rhyme and meter it pulls the reader along with its good flow. A well written tribute and a fave
Matthew, this hit me hard. There is a deep sadness here, but also a determination not to let hatred have the final word. By the end, I found myself thinking less about tragedy and more about resilience. Powerful piece, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
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