I love hats
I have many
I often carry
several with me
throughout my day
I have my
writer hat and
my lover hat
my goofball hat
which is a
beanie with propeller
I have my
dunce hat complete
with pink chagrin
Oh then there’s
my cigar smoking
Daddy hat allowing
me to smolder
But my favorite
hat of all
is no hat
But no one
ever sees me
then for I
am delightedly invisible
Category: Gay
EverAgainEver
I do remember
Of course I
remember I remember
fondly but not
longingly time has
severed that connection
like a prisoner
pulling his chain
free from post
sending him somewhere
anywhere else but
there where misery
pain and suffering
occurred once love
had souringly curdled
I have rinsed
my mouth of
you and wiped
my lips clean
but yes I
do remember of
course I remember
I never lost
the taste of
you but I
doubt that I
will enjoy you
ever again ever
Toy
When young we dreamed
we dreamed of things
and places and people
we wished to have
and go and be
We played with toys
that somehow filled time
and fit with fun
And then we grew
out of our toys
and into our lives
replacing things and places
and people with well
things and places and
people feeling comfortable there
But as those same
began to lose stuffing
and adventure and desire
we searched for our
own youth in toys
New things and places
and people that distract
divide and ultimately destroy
Toys are best left
in hands of children
for a child’s mind
is one of innocence
and glee and giddiness
whereas the adult mind
is full of corruption
and chaos and compromise
Not a very promising
place for a toy
Breath
How one breathes ones
breath says more about
one’s life than anything
When one sighs its
sign is exasperation when
one heaves its exhaustion
when one snores its
sleep when one yawns
its tired and when
one simply and quietly
and rhythmically breathes its
as peaceful and calm
as the surf rolling
onto shore and kissing
the sand quickly and
retreating embarrassed only to
do it again over
and over without shame
Ovation
The realization and subsequent
acceptance that I have
in fact become the
thing I dreamed about
is both startling and
relieving on both hands
the left being uhoh
now what and the
right being mmm at
long last so what
comes next applause does
An ovation for what’s
ended and one for
what’s about to begin
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 