I Checked All the Boxes

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6/28/2026
56th San Francisco Pride
Ken Ireland


I love a parade.
I love a marching band.
I particularly love the village bandstand with friends singing and dancing.
I love inviting people who are hungry for love and affection into the circle.
I love seeing people being exuberant. Anyone, Everyone.
I love the chance to sing off-key without critics circling.
I love being supported and loved for who I am
Without pretending to be someone who ain’t me.

I love a chance to feel free enough to express a few things hidden that need to be said.
I don’t mind if a few friends get a bit out there and sloppy.
The ring of tolerance has expanded a bit. I still feel safe.
I know I can trust you.
I know that there will be more than a few apologies tomorrow.
I’ve been there.
I am open enough to let a few things slide.
No grudges. No recriminations.

I checked all the boxes, but something still feels off.
Last year, I had trouble paying the bill.
This year, to help and even expand a bit,
I said yes when you asked to sell some stuff and put up a sign.
We can all use a little help from time to time.
You promised no strings
I took you at your word.
Nothing was said.
Nothing's been unsaid.

But then I noticed that there were more signs
Taking up more space
And you asked that lizie with the blue hair send her friend
And not hang out so close to the cash register.
And then the disc jockey spins your songs
Even the ones that were not jingles
And then you asked that my friends keep their homemade brews at home.

Today, the diameter of my circle feels smaller
Like a ring around my feelings.
They don’t measure with any accuracy
I tell myself.
And tomorrow will change again.
The blues may be more blue
And closer to my heart.




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