Stonewall

1968.
I walk bastard West 10th Street
bypassing boys and bitches and
queens and queers.

Saint Christopher is my guide.

The revolution to begin.
The liberation at hand.

The “ins” yearning to be “Out.”
The “outs” yearning to be “In.”

Non-descript and uninviting,
I move on.

2008.
I walk gentrified West 10th Street,
past LGBT tourists,
gawking at site of Pride.

I am Out and walk in.

Outside,
brazen and blazin’ neon:
STONEWALL as back-drop.
Girl poses for photo . . . by parents?


“If your friends see that photo,
they will think you are Gay.”

“I am.”

©TP/MMXV.