I wrote about this beautiful poem last year, and wanted to re-up it for Pride Month. Writer and filmmaker Leo Herrera hits the bullseye with his poem “Unmistakable Softness.”
The brief two-minute video is narrated by pop star Jake Shears and is so spot on.
‘Unmistakable softness’ – how perfect. Leo’s gift of language enables him to take any insult, hurt, belittling idea and turn it into a empowering, positive vibe.
There was a time when I’d have run from these words. I’m proud I’ve grown enough to embrace them.
Unmistakable Softness. Words by @herreraimages Read by @Jakeshears Images submitted by followers, used with permission. pic.twitter.com/KqidKK8i8Z
— Leo Herrera (@herreraimages) June 17, 2023
Related: Poem – Until We Could
Herrera is currently running a GoFundMe to help publish his debut novel:
I spent the last 2 years working on my debut novel! Your donations funds editing, art, PR and the option to self-publish. The followup to 2018’s Fathers Project (iftheylived.org) is part memoir, part science-fiction and completely Queer & Brown. “Tales of the City meets Blade Runner meets a Telenovela.”
The fundraiser will help benefit the Center for Immigrant Protection.
The text for “Unmistakable Softness” is below as well. Happy Pride Month!