I Don't See What Anyone Can See in Anyone Else.... But You

I will never understand what it is that gives me such joy to be a part of the gay and lesbian community. I suppose it is the acceptance I have received... and the only way I have gained this is by being accepting myself. So many times, I look at my life and become frantic as I scramble for some sort of meaning to anchor me to my place. It's as if there's no hope for anything that could ever give me peace. I feel as if I have no purpose, like my goals are pointless, that nothing I could ever do will matter in any way. In these times, it is always my wonderful friends who remind me of why, in my opinion, I am here. They instill in me a sense of pride and hope for a better tomorrow. They face adversity every day of their lives for simply being who they are, yet they still thrive. They find direction... they find inspiration... they find happiness... they find each other. And I feel that because I have found them and CONTINUE to find them, I will always have a home to come back to. I will always have a community to call my own. I will always have people to lean on and people who trust me enough to lean on me and need me at times. Even if this is all I ever accomplish in my life, I still feel it will have been important and worthwhile.

Many refer to girls like me as Fag Hags. I don't mind this name and I shoulder the title's implications with honor. I don't consider it a burden. However, I honestly don't know what it is that draws these men to me.... or what it is that makes me unable to pull any men of the heterosexual persuasion my way. It gets lonely, being surrounded by men that you know you could fall in love with but will never be able to have... so there's no point. It gets frustrating, looking at particular individuals and having to force the sudden, unwanted and completely unwise attraction deep into the darkest parts of the mind, slam the door shut, lock it, and throw away the key. You do it long enough, though, and it becomes a necessary process that, for the most part, desensitizes one to the emotional responses generally associated with such things. The empty feeling created by loneliness never goes away. It just gets easier to ignore and only presents itself on rare occasions. I would never trade who I am. It means too much to me that I am what I am to these young men and to this community. The pros always seem to outweigh the cons in the end.

So much on my mind the past week or so. So many thoughts I am trying to organize. Plans I am trying to make. People I am dying to learn more about. This last weekend has put me in a very reflective sort of mood. I wish I could keep this sort of perspective all the time... one where I feel as though I can see more of the big picture and am willing to examine ALL thoughts, not just the ones that are the most accessible.

Anyway... that's all for now I suppose. Two posts in one day.... I think that's probably more than enough : )

Peace.

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And now... a song.

"Anyone Else But You" (Selected Verses) by the Moldy Peaches

You're a part time lover and a full time friend
The monkey on you're back is the latest trend
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

I kiss you on the brain in the shadow of a train
I kiss you all starry eyed, my body's swinging from side to side
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Here is the church and here is the steeple
We sure are cute for two ugly people
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

The pebbles forgive me, the trees forgive me
So why can't, you forgive me?
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

I will find my nitch in your car
With my mp3 DVD rumple-packed guitar
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Up up down down left right left right B A start
Just because we use cheats doesn't mean we're not smart
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

You are always trying to keep it real
I'm in love with how you feel
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

+1

For My Boys...

and then there was another
not fully expected but perhaps hoped for and always welcomed

sitting there
looking beautiful
and exuding all of those things that we perceive without fail but can never define
that make you recognizable as who you are

first at the table in that awkward restaurant
crowded by noisy and excited people that would never think to guess
the secret hiding behind those eyes that betray a certain wisdom beyond your years

then in the floor on a drunken friday night
surrounded by friendly and playful people who put you at ease and don't have to guess
because family is family and we know our own

then in my lap the morning after
arm around my neck as you curl close and make me feel both safe and needed
just as i've known my baby brother to do on so many occasions

my ear resting over your heart
the strength of its rhythm assures me that you are alive and well
unlike so many i have known before you
you need no direction for you found yourself long ago

pride and hope and perhaps even faith are momentarily restored
a new perspective gained from an inspirational addition to a life that often feels so lacking

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This is a meager attempt at putting into words what it is that I feel concerning the men in my life, most of which happen to be gay, when they first come into my life. I don't think I'll ever be able to fully express in words the role these individuals have played and continue to play in my life, but I sometimes feel the need to try. While the above refers mostly to a specific person, places, and events, I also feel it can be viewed loosely as a metaphor for the experiences I've had with almost every gay man that has become an important fixture in my life... with the exception of lines 17-19, which are what make this newest individual particularly unique in my mind. I truly admire his strong sense of self. Not that I've ever minded helping and being there for the people in my life... in fact, I'm glad I can serve a purpose. However, it's refreshing to meet a guy who doesn't need to be rescued from himself.