And then after years
Of jockeying after years
Of denying and trying
On this label and
Then that label finally
Tucked way in back
We both saw the
Same coat and tried
It on and paraded
About the store and
In front of mirrors
Looking at each other
And finally finally agreeing
This is the one
The one that fits
The one that feels
Right and makes us
Both better this one
And not the others
This one called boyfriend
Why do secrets hurt
Not just those that
We keep but those
Too that we share
Those that we keep
Gnaw from inside out
Those that we share
Are like rusty traps
Biting into those that
We love and often
Those that we love
Will chew off their
Own limbs to escape
Just be honest with
Me in the beginning
I will not judge
But if I’m ensnared
I will definitely flee
In order to survive
You’re so far away
Now that all I’m
Left with is the
Lingering scent of your
Cologne on my shirt
That I longingly notice
As I turn to
Speak to other people
Causing me to be
Far away from them
Too and with you
There so far away
I used to enjoy
Walking across the tops
Of the picket fences
When I was younger
It was the height
That I most enjoyed
Feeling like a seraphim
High above the rabble
I felt absolutely free
Anointed and absolutely powerful
Also atop I balanced
And felt deliciously dangerous
One small misstep one
Strong wind one sin
Would cause me to
Fall as quickly as
Lucifer back to hell
Writing to me
Is like dieting
I shed unwanted
Pounds discarding thoughts
And memories and
Pain onto pages
Purging and eliminating
Mass and weight
Making me buoyant
Ready to tackle
The next dessert
Crossing my plate
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 