20 Years Ago

I yearn for the time
When I drank wine
Before the 12 step
And the reflect
And the mental disinfect
Life was simple
A. Pack of winnies
And the 4 litre cask
Was the only ask
By the end of the night
We were all so bright
We shared lots of love
My mates were great
No one I know cared
From where I came
Or if I was born that way
I was born and here
Just so happened I was queer
This was my journey and ride
Possibly in the words of today
One of privilege and pride
But they ask
So was it an easy ride ?
I honesty don’t know
Compared to what ?
And why do I need to compare ?
In your words
That was my tribe
I did not know I was to take offense
And hate my mate
They said Gday
And shook their heads in the Indian bob
There was no malice in that act
I did friggin bob - still do
It’s just fact
We had a few beers
With lots of cheers
But now this world
Wants me to pick a side
It’s so black and white
You stupid clown
Look I am brown
I am also over 50
Still pretty nifty
I spent most of my life in Oz
I don’t need your label
My life was fine
As I had the worlds best wine
And best mates
With zero hate