[Laika]: 661.Contest Entries.ESS.May 2007

For the love of God

a study in three

1 Padre

confess to me and atone
when the saints look down on you
marble eyes blind

feel no shame my son
even angels are naked under their robes

feel no shame my angel
don't kiss the hem of my robe
straighten your back and kiss higher

confess and atone son
that's how your sin is washed away


2 Hey, boy

what were you, boy, sixteen
always the last in the shower
locked yourself in the toilet
avoided watching in the green eyes of that boy

what were you, boy, insane
drew Greek wrestlers in notebooks
on a field trip at the museum stared at the white carved thighs
hid your blush under your hair
your front under a brochure

you wrote in your diary, hands shaking:
very first kiss from the substitute on recess
behind the lockers my god he was BEAUTIFUL
and my heart felt weak

what were you, boy, what
ashamed to tell mom, she's figured out already
you know it from the way she doesn't look at you


3 Let me get this queer

in all honesty, people
what kind of a person must one be to say:

be happy with what you get
that you're not stoned anymore

be grateful that all we throw now is sand