New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Culture
27 May 2015updated 07 Sep 2021 9:41am

Musa Okwonga

"Everyone knows it: no one will say it"

By Musa Okwonga

Everyone knows it: no one will say it;
Everyone sees it; they all downplay it.
Your truth is known in your home, at the barber’s, 
And at the church: and is ignored regardless.

Everyone knows that you’re gay, so their solace 
is then to ensure that your truth’s not acknowledged. 
Not knowing Truth is an obstinate sort 
Which even from deepest denial grows forth.

Shrewd politicians slur you as harmful,
Distracting hordes while they make off with castles; 
Some will preach: “You’re not what Nature intended”
(Which just means they find Nature offensive).

Some seek to make you an outcast by law, 
To force you to love within shade, behind doors; 
But though they will fight you with statute and clause, 
The truth, and the dignity, will remain yours.

Musa Okwonga is a poet and author. He tweets at: @okwonga.

Content from our partners
Building Britain’s water security
How to solve the teaching crisis
Pitching in to support grassroots football

Give a gift subscription to the New Statesman this Christmas from just £49