Standing Tall Lyrics

This song has meant a lot to me lately.
It is better heard and sung than read, but the words are powerful enough on their own.
Levi Kreis survived the ex-gay movement, came out and has toured with the show Rent, appeared on the show The Apprentice, and put out three albums of his work. This is from his album "The Gospel According to Levi"


The Gospel According to Levi: Standing Tall
Standing Tall
Written by Levi Kreis

Somebody somewhere
Has a long road to haul
Somebody somewhere
Has got a mind to give it all
Lord, won’t you make that someone hopeful
Lord, won’t you make them strong
Cause we all got to stumble
Before we’re standing tall

And I know that it ain’t easy
But there’s a thrill in the fight
If you know where you’re going
Keep your eye on the prize
Your ship is in the harbor
Don’t you doubt that you’re called
Cause we all got to stumble
Before we’re standing tall

And I got this feeling
Way down in my bones
That whatever my dealings
I am never alone
So watch me step over
Watch me walk on
Cause we all gotta stumble
Before we’re standing tall

And I got this feeling
Way down in my bones
That whatever my dealings
I am never alone
So watch me step over
Watch me walk on
Cause we all gotta stumble
Before we’re standing tall
Everyone of us gotta stumble
Before we’re standing tall.

Freedom Beckons

There's this rebellion in me against the ways of this world.
Freedom beckons,
and I find myself leaving the warm morning blanket for an adventure-
Peace to be found, at the end of a night in a strange land, I awake anew.
Here and there I see the world
talk in two voices and wonder whither is this soul of mine?
Whither to, and whether why should be lifted to that question, lest this moment fall apart.

(I just found this poem, with the title "Was on Facebook." I wrote it two years ago for my facebook profile and then forgot about it. What an adventure it has been!)

Queer Calling

They used to call us the shamans, the two-spirited. Entire nations were built on our foresight, our unique non-binary experience, our prophesy.

Now we are shunned for our wisdom. We are told that we must fit into a system bent on more things, on killing nature, and fighting more wars. We are feared for our verdant phrases, our exotic movements, the strange strength of ours which comes from an uncommon source. We have become our own tribe, separated to the detriment of our former fellow-men. Have they forgot their prophets? Or can they only face our terrifying brilliance in short bursts? Are we relegated to the edges to keep the herd moving towards a greener pastureland with our shouts of truth, harsh and pointed?