How could you not love Danny La Rue,

the last man in a dress

to outshine the also rans, in high heels,

stockings and large expensive wigs,

taught several how to relish in the glamour

of their existence and others how to embrace

that not everything in life is black, white

and as bright and vibrant as a child’s colouring book

when they learn to draw outside of the margins;

how could you not love Danny La Rue.

 

How could you not love Dorothy Gale,

I loved her alter ego as a young boy,

but she was able to show acceptance

in a world ruled by witches

and fairy folk

and the true boy King of Oz, the little girl Ozma

who made Dorothy her queen

and consort, her friend for all occasions,

holding out and showing tolerance;

how could you not love Dorothy Gale.

 

How could you not love the first person

who took the chance to believe in you

enough to tell you that they were different,

that they held you

in such high regard

to display their emotions and bare

their soul, how could you not look them in the eye

and smile and hug them for their bravery,

feel honoured and special for their trust;

how could you not love that person.

 

Ian D. Hall 2016