Everyday Poems

Fans used to say
And opposition bray
There’s only one
(Not two)
Justin Fashenu

Sentiment
Well meant
That didn’t grant
Or represent
His true self
His sexuality

For Justin was 
Unable to say
Convention to obey
That he was
In fact gay

When finally outed
Like an animal hounded,
The crowds rounded
With hateful chants
And tabloid rants

Desperate to escape
The bile and the hate
He headed
To the United States

Where embroiled
In a mess
With intolerable stress
And emotional strife
Justin took his own life

Why in this modern day
It’s impossible to say
That you are gay
Without having such
A price to pay