They toss it out

like a punch,

like a joke,

like a dare-

„Thats so gay,"

followed by a laugh

and a sidelong look.

Like gay

was dirt.

Like it meant less.

Like love

was something

they get to box away.

They never mean it,

they always insist.

Its just talk-

Its just a game.

But Ive watched

what silence does to a heart.

How phrases like that

can hollow out

who a kid believes

they ought to be.

Make someone wonder

if they should duck,

if theyre allowed

to walk with pride.

They say it

so casual,

so quick,

but the words,

they latch.

They honestly dont know

what theyre holding in their mouths.

Its broken glass

wrapped in laughs,

traded around

like it cant cut.

But it cuts.

And Im tired

of watching it spill.

So stop

spitting fire

and calling it just lads.

You label a dude gay

like shame-meant tape,

but love is plain

and your hate is weak.

So roll on-

mock what you fear.

Yell loud enough

for the room to know.

And Ill yell back.

With truth.

With spark.

With zero loss.

If calling someone gay

is the sharpest slam

you can find-

then maybe its you

who fears deep down that

you and your own feeling of okayness

might come undone.