When I am gone

When I am gone tell them that,

My favorite color was pink.

tell them that I never adhered to the

gender roles the world tried to pin on me,

tell them I lived my life the way I desired,

that conformed only to the standards I set for myself

tell them I walked the earth with open arms

for any soul that needed a warm embrace,

to hold someone who suffered criticism like bullets

society shot into our backs.

tell them I cared not for money or wealth

yet I yearned for the most magical love,

a love so prosperous and deep

No person could determine where my soul ended and where theirs began.

now, tell them that I lived as a lover, a writer, a companion

but most evidently, I lived as a leader.

That I led people to greatness,

I led people to their wildest dreams.

When I am gone tell them

I lived my life to its capacity and without an ounce of shame.