Thank You

I will never know your name or your whereabouts at this very moment.

I may not even know your pronouns or the name of lipstick you were wearing when I first saw you.

But I know the impact you left on me that one fleeting moment I met your eyes and smiled at you.

I may not know what you were doing at that time and place for which you changed my outlook on life,

and probably will not know what you went through to stand as you were when I saw you,

But I know the bold attitude you had standing there in the corner of that restaurant. 

and I know that your tanned complexion popped against the lavender for which you painted on your lips.

I will remember that white and pink basketball t-shirt you were wearing,

and the cutoff jean shorts you wore with your unshaven legs bared for the world to witness.

I will remember your short quaffed hair, a warm brown shade that reminds me of a rich piece of chocolate.

The slight stubble of your chin that you embraced,

 the smoky eye that was blended to perfection up to your full dark brows,

And also the tall heels you strutted in when you finally walked outside into the cool summer breeze.

I will never forgive myself for not butting in when I heard hateful words thrown in your direction.

and I will never understand why I didn't do something when I heard laughter from the people I was with at the time.

I just want you to know, stranger.

That you made me want to live boldly, unapologetically, and fiercely. 

You made me use my voice for others in our community later on in life.

And you made me realize that identity is individual, and normalcy is overrated.

So thank you. 

Thank you for being yourself.

Thank you for showing me authenticity.

And thank you for making me realize I do not need to hide my queerness from the world.

You've made me strong, 

You've made me proud,

You've made me unapologetic.

You helped me realize I was not normal. 

And that I didn't need to be.