Preface for a Book with a Working Title I haven’t written yet, but plan to.

I have decided to write a book entitled “The Early Making of an Ostrich” *working title, though to be completely honest, everything is a malleable draft during the crafting of this post… What I do know for sure, rather with strong conviction, is that I would like to release this book online for pre-ordering in late 2021, with hard copy distribution taking place no later than 2023. Isn’t it beautiful to dream?

I would love to share with you what I have thus far as a non-contractual commitment to follow through with my aspirations. So, without further adieu, the Preface to my pre-published book:

Preface: Identity

In this yellow book, the language is fowl and the boys are ostriches — a collection of flightless land animals with large wings in hot climates.

I lived my life at a Texas crossroads, Dallas was my claim to middle America. I lived in the suburbs only a few miles from a city late night with traffic on the alleyways to clubs, leaving highway streets clear for exploring.

I took my time taking it in, taking all of him into me, and the men that made me a real Dallas boy. I was also black on the exterior, however, I reveled in every possible contradiction to ward off the presumptions directed toward me. I came out quietly to my parents at 12 and have been doing so for the past 10 years. In my voice, my interests, or in conversations about my boyfriend. It’s a subtle truth that for the most part has gone without saying.

I was lonely for a while. I believed in God. I secluded myself, became an agnostic, and decided to follow the faith of my heart. There is a God, that I am sure.

This book is full of contradictions, true stories told through fictional characters to grandiose the enigma of my youth. I believe in the power of storytelling; my hope for this book is for the reader to catch themselves on the precipice of laughter and tears.

I.

“Don’t be upset because at my age I have chosen laughter while you dabble in youthful moodiness. Life is short.”