I’m coming out of the closet
Out of the dark
Into a space where only grace shields the heart
From the arrows and stones
Slung hard from the bleechers
By those making sport of the broken beleaguered
Those without sin, I hear whispered through ages
Those without sin can throw insults, lock cages
Those without sin can let loose, but not me
I know the wretch wrapped in this flesh you can’t see

I’m coming out of the closet
Let’s start slow: for kicks
I Google my name just to count up the clicks
And the self-gratifying few seconds I pause
Before mirrors and plate glass, a few seconds to check
That my shirt’s hanging right and my hair’s not a wreck
And the lie that I told without any cause
I guess to fill space or get laughs or applause
And the girl in the airport whose breasts could just kill
Her calf muscles bulging, she swished by in heels
And my ring said don’t stare but my eyes were so riled
They undressed her, caressed her and savored and smiled
And then, see this scar? Knifed in the back
For years I’ve been stewing and wishing and plotting
Picking the wound, no, I still haven’t healed
I’ve gossiped and cursed, no, I haven’t forgotten
I fantasize about the day the score’s settled
And Judas is feeling my anger’s toothed metal

I’m coming out of the closet
My insides run over
With self-loathing, self-loving, and mess best unexplored
With a mouth that pleas charity, begs for the poor
My stomach topped off but still growling for more
My back bent from earning the wages of sin
My eyes gone blind from looking within
My scorecard is empty
Too dark here to write it
I’m needing some grace and I pray
You won’t hide it
No stone in my hand, just a knob and a key
The one coming out of the closet is me