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It had been a home once. My home. A place with parents and laughter, children and learning, baking and playing. Hugs and smiles.
The painted plaster flaked and cracked, falling from bricks, the damage a toss-up between water, wind, and sun. Maybe man. The neglect was man. The door slapped in the wind, far from welcoming though the damage was done long ago.
When they dragged us away.
Wrong gender. Wrong culture. Wrong skin. Wrong faith. Wrong mind. Wrong love.
Hate won.
Reprogrammed, I’m allowed to return to a building as damaged as me to integrate both of us into supporting the accepted society.
(words 102, first published 5/26/2023)