How would I describe my friend?
It depends.
Do you want to know 
what the world is allowed to see
or who I see?

The world sees fierce loyalty
a slightly too quick willingness 
to jump into the line of fire
protecting anyone from bullies
an unwillingness to tolerate stupidity 
and badly reasoned arguments or bullshit
used to support bigotry and hate
maybe a little rough around the edges 
maybe a little over-confident
maybe a little angry and frustrated
but determined not to let prejudice go unchallenged
and still willing to listen and learn

If you're paying attention
you'll also see someone who has 
scars and deep wounds
mainly kept out of view 
and never discussed
but nevertheless they are there
visible in the music, videos and quotes shared

All of those things are at least partially true
some a lot more than partially
even if the world only catches a tiny glimpse 
but they're only a portion of who my friend is
Let me tell you what else I see

a mind that thinks deeply about everything
searching for balance and perspective 
observing and analysing all possibilities
seeking to reconcile paradox
holding a faith that doesn't fit comfortably
within the confines because easy answers
will never be enough

a willingness to do what needs to be done
regardless of the cost to his own well-being
never mind how those actions
will haunt his dreaming and his waking

a heart that is softer and more tender 
than he even admits to himself
a fear that he will not be enough
that somehow what he has done is unforgiveable
that the fault always lies within himself

an ability to love unreservedly
and without condition
seeing deeply the truths 
of those he claims as his own

a desire to connect and be seen 
to no longer be a ghost
even though there are things that cannot be shared
and being anything other than that
seems unimaginable and not worth dreaming
since he doesn't yet believe it's possible
because it's always felt that way
even in the time before

a grief that threatens to overwhelm
but also reminds that there is hope
and beauty and goodness 
in the simplest things of life