An Ode to Closed-Minded Parents

so what if you’re family
what do you think that means to me
blood is thicker than water?
you threw that out when i became your daughter

you work and slave twelve hours a day
for a white picket fence and three cars in the driveway
middle class life with no room for the gays
or the trans or the new ways or the old truths

so what am i, chopped liver?
every day i see slivers of hate
as they glint in your eye and you lie to my face
i accept you, i love you, you’re so great

but i wish you’d wear pants and succumb to your fate
you were born with a dick and that’s it
quit crying, i don’t care how hard you’re trying
it’s my way to objectify, not accept

well glad to see you’re on my side
but i’m not gonna hide, that door doesn’t shut
why aren’t you proud? i could use some approval
who knew your love could be so cruel

set aside your bigotry and see the real me
i’m happy, goddamnit, i’m free at last
and you’re still stuck in the past
do you think who i am is up for debate?

something this great could never be wrong
what more do you want? it’s been over a year,
how clear can it get that it’s right? can’t you see? are you blind?
what kind of person ignores their child

while they struggle and reach out?
you hang onto your hate when a better parent would validate
a lesser woman would leave you behind but i just keep
giving you more and more time.

so tick fucking tock.