Personal choices are exactly that.

I struggle with authority
and social norms.
I cannot smile
when I don’t want
and I find myself choking
on the words
and the frustration
that lives within me.
I find myself hiding it
because speaking freely
is something often celebrated
unless you feel differently
and then you stay quiet.
I find myself
pondering my beliefs
seeing the holes within them
I am pro-choice
although I value life
I just see the blurred lines
and I know the complications it brings
although I never have myself
I’m not against abortion.
In theory I have
if you allow
the restrictive to construct
your views
when it comes to contraceptives.
I’m anti guns
because humans and power
it’s a dangerous thing
a distance
standing between you and a target
I don’t agree.
I have never shot a gun
and have no intent to do so.
I am not against gay marriage
although I don’t celebrate it
because I don’t celebrate
heterosexuality either.
I suppose you could say
I’m for all marriage
against all huge weddings.
I don’t care for extravagant parties
and unwarranted debt
it’s pointless.
I’m married
although we aren’t owned by each other.
I have no tether upon my finger
because my personal
is for me
and trust is important.
I do not partake in an open relationship
it’s closed
me and him
but what others do
that is their choice.
Swingers shall swing
and it harms not me.
I believe
personal choices
are exactly that
and not for me
to determine for anyone but me.
I wonder why
it’s difficult for you
to make the decisions
only for you
and not for them?
Why is it so hard
to keep your choices
from dictating theirs?


Thanks for reading.
-Temperamentally Tina