It Gets Better

The only sound
was the soft patter
of feet against cold ground.
A form walks across the stage
with curtain lowered behind
to stand in front of a microphone dead center.
Soft clearing of the throat brings
the hushed audience to attention.
An illumination from above
exposes all flaws in the form.
Slowly the voice utters forth in song
in a weak and timid
yet still beautiful voice.
"I want to show you who I am..."
Immediate uproar follows
drowning out every word the person
tries to share with the audience.
Screams of hatred
Threats of violence
Soon words aren't enough
and things are being thrown
"I just want to show you I can love..."
Pleas fall on deaf ears
even as the voice attempts
to get stronger.
And for every step forward
that beautiful voice takes
it's pushed back two with hatred.
"I just want to live my life..."
Somehow that gets through
but only manages to incite the crowd further.
A sob is choked back
arms that were raised in pleading
fall hopelessly to the sides.
A cheer of victory is heard
a roar of a lion
that knows it's won it's pray.
Suddenly a hand grabs the saddened
and the new form smiles in encouragement.
A second voice, just as beautiful
but stronger joins the first
"We just want to show you who we are..."
The form smiles back
and turns to look as the curtain rises.
The forms of many walk forward and join hands.
A hush returns to the crowd
confused by the sudden numbers.
In unison the voices raise
in an accepting sadness.
"We are not alone..."
For a long time the voices sing
the occasional spectator flinching in guilt.
With the support of others
the form moves forward
all of the faults still illuminated.
The voice raises more beautifully
than ever before
with a strength it never dreamed of.
But at the very end it pauses
unsure of how to end the song.
The form turns to the others
who all smile and sing..
"It gets better..."