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Ramblings of Mitch

Does it matter?


Found this poem in 1994, and remains my favorite to this day.

Does It Matter?
My parents asked me if I am gay
   I said, "Does it matter?"
   They said, "No, not really."
   I told them, "Yes."
   They said, "Get out of our lives."
   I guess it mattered.

My boss asked me if I am gay.
   I said, "Does it matter?"
   He said, "No, not really."
   I told him, "Yes."
   He said, "You're fired, faggot."
   I guess it mattered.

My friend asked me if I am gay.
   I said, "Does it matter?"
   He said, "No, not really."
   I told him, "Yes."
   He said, "Don't call me your friend."
   I guess it mattered.

My partner asked, "Do you love me?"
   I said, "Does it matter?"
   He said, "Yes."
   I told him, "I love you."
   He said, "Let me hold you in my arms."
   For the first time in my life something matters.

My God asked, "Do you love yourself?"
   I said, "Does it matter?"
   He said, "Yes."
   I asked, "How can I love myself? I am gay."
   He said, "That's the way I made you."
   Nothing again will ever matter.

--Author Unknown


My first reading

I found this poem in Dec of 1994. The first time I read this aloud was in college to a cultural class I was in. I choked up and got teary eyed; and took some effort to finish reading. I hope you like it.


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