I felt it necessary to write about this topic after it kept popping into my mind readily, and I got the go-ahead from my guidance.
I remember being a shy, quiet high school student and meeting other shy quiet students who welcomed me to a seat at their table. You see, I was a bit of a loner who enjoyed my own company. So this invitation was extended as I found my way from one place to another, my mind full of this and that.
I’d shared my poetry with a friend of mine who told this group about how cool it was and asked if I would share. So, I did, which immediately got me a seat at the table. Now the group was different in every way physically from me, but it felt like home nevertheless.
All male, yet emotionally intelligent enough at that tender age to treat me like an equal while finding value and merit in what I had to offer and added to the table.
This new constant insistence of the patriarchy being all there is discounts guys like these. Those sensitive and secure enough to not need to subjugate others to feel good about themselves. I wonder why more women don't have experiences like these? And a better question: why were so many hellbent on trying to act like these types don’t/never existed?
Thank you guys, for being authentic, true, secure and cool as fuck, you know who you are hope you are having a stellar life. To all those who give credit where credit is due, and see the best and true, physicality aside.