NEW POEM: Authentic

This LGBT+ History Month (U.K.) S P Clark is sharing 20 new poems to mark the 20th anniversary of this historic celebration of the LGBT+ community and its contribution to society. Each poem celebrates S P Clark's own journey navigating his way through the world as a member of the LGBT+ Community. Through this poem S P Clark looks at his journey to self-acceptance.

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Authentic

Written to coincide with LGBT+ History Month (U.K.) 2025, and to mark the birthday of W.E.B. Du Bois

“He began to have a dim feeling that, to attain his place in the world, he must be himself, and not another.” ― W.E.B. Du Bois

MY PERSONALITY

It took me so long to stop pretending to be someone I’m not

Pretending to be stranger than strange (anything to hide away)

Pretending to be one of the lads (anything to not be pushed aside)

Inventing likes and dislikes

Interjecting with aphorisms or spiteful words strewn with spikes

Attending events and wasting my life on things that I despise

A pattern that I won’t reprise.

MY HEART

Denied my heart all it wanted to beat for

The strongest hand, the lightest touch

The stubbled chin, his virile clutch.

Denied my heart all it wanted to beat for

His strapping hug, his secure hand

His manly stance, the hardy stand.

MY DESIRES

For so long I relinquished my desires

Stamped on my dreams and dampened my fires

All to feel the glaring eyes staring down

Staring down from a thousand spires.

MY FEARS

I could never express my fears

Instead I shed the tears that took me down a darkened road

Where drugs and drink left my soul exposed to pain.

I could never express my worries

Instead I hurried down some troubled track to find

Only fragments of the joy that was in my mind…

…all shattered on the floor with rainbow blood seeping back through the closet door.

MY AUTHENTIC SELF

I now know that I am who I am and that makes me proud

I won’t disguise my hearts pounding behind the expectant cloud

My desires now unveiled to every face in the crowd

My fears are less crippling now that they’ve been disavowed

I am my authentic self, not living in sepulchral hues; painting my life out loud.

© S P Clark

You can purchase more S P Clark poetry on LGBTQ+ love by clicking the links below:

1. The Journey To Love: (A Long Weekend Away - Thursday to Tuesday)

2. TWO MEN, ONE LOVE

3. To view the full range of S P Clark's releases, click here