Pride

She projects

people carted away

bloodied

by sneering police

and right wing boots

re-living Stone Wall

How surprising, then, for

my sister, my aunt

that mother and I

are not alone

our partners and we

hold hands

not met with shaking fists

She sees the world 

through

rigid jaw and tense shoulders

unthinkable 

a pastor may march

with homo

believing one equals another

How surprising change

revelations in human spirit

belong to others, too

and evolution

disrupts stagnant

history

Prayer

yoga scrubs my hips

blood flows easy, quick, and free

dancing to follow

Now

There is no need

to prepare weather

anecdotes

when calling,

your absence is not personal.

That highway 

leads to me 

and away

when necessary.

There is no need

to hush discomfort,

we are older now

speaking time

is what comes.

That road

is steep;

I could not judge you

on reflection.

There is no need 

to fumble

with straight-lines shoes,

the smell of bleach,

or ringing in your ears.

That path 

is for ones

that never medicated

you are better,

now.

There is no need

to fear

my hand will easily

find yours

upon return.

ten things

making lists:

why change...

one:babies

two:enlightenment

three:fashion

four:respect

five:overpopulation

six:rising cost of food

seven:bathing suits

eight:loving you

nine:tired

ten:all the time

on the train

in the car

on the couch 

mid-sentence, while speaking

change

perfect

sleepy, listless, repetitive, counting, typing, hacking, staring

change 

Off a plane, 1 am

quick harsh fingers close around 

my throat

choking little air puffs

squeezing what is left of my breath

the air is inky black

that color that looks perfect

on wedding dresses

and in funeral marches

i inhale quickly

tasting dank earth and wet pavement

my chest heaves 

i stumble

water molecules and pollen

invade my body

again, summer in Chicago