You and I
my friends my lovers
walking in step
forward and back
stumble and recover
from
dad and mom
from ketamine and dreams
fall down and rise
but
we don’t surrender we don’t retreat
it isn’t easy it isn’t free
but it’s beautiful
if you believe.

By- Shaleen Rakesh

(Shaleen works as an activist on gay rights in New Delhi, India. When he is (also when he is not) traveling down fabulous Indian village roads, he takes pictures, draws and writes poetry. The Bling Diary is a queer poetry and art column updated whenever it’s time to run down the street with sparklers)