== Courage Inner ==

Courage inner, the music that I play to all the world,
For they know me by my colors
And these colors are diverse.
But even with a sanction that my courage has achieved;
Home is where my song falls fallow,
Home is where my courage's shallow;
Home is where I know my journey is far from me conceived.

I speak it to the strangers.
I tell it to my friends.
I flaunt it on my enemies
And still no journey ends;
Because I speak in whispers
In my family cove.
My weeping nightly matches,
Their weeping and their love.

As son, I am so honored;
As child, I am protected;
As heir, I am their wonder
But as queer, I am their blunder.
And `though I have the courage
To toss away their fire,
My secret hopes are for them;
My journey, not my pyre.

So, home has changed to strangers
Who do not call me sinner;
Who truly love my being
And stoke my courage inner.
===================================

Edward C. Patterson