*SILVER AND GRAY*
                                 *By GILDA LILY*
 
                        It happened again today.
                               We were having fun,
                               Enjoying each other,
                               Laughing and smiling,
                               When we both heard
                               The remark.
 
                               Benny tried hard
                               To pretend like
                               He didn't hear.
                               He kept on talking
                               About some Inuit thing,
                               But I'd seen his face
                               And the hurt that flitted
                               Through his lovely blue eyes.
 
                               Why must people do this?
                               Why must they hurt us?
                               Have we ever done
                               Anything to them?
 
                               Why is it so bad
                               To hold each other's
                               Hands as we walk down
                               The street?
                               Or give a quick kiss,
                               Or a loving pat
                               On the arm?
                               Why must we hide it
                               As if it's something
                               To feel shame about?
 
        Must there always be
                               The gray lining
                               In a silver cloud?
                               Can't we just be
                               Left alone?
 
                               Why is our love
                               Considered not real
                               Just because we're
                               Both the same sex?
 
                               Why must I worry
                               That despite all I've done,
                               Benny would be barred
                               From my side
                               If I were near death
                               In a hospital bed?
 
                               Why must I let
                               The snide remarks
                               Go unchallenged
                               Around the table
                               At a holiday meal?
                               Oh, Ma's okay with us,
                               And so's Frannie and
                               Maria, but
                               Some of the other Vecchios
                               Come around and make jokes
                               While watching us closely.
 
                               Maybe they're afraid
                               We'll start making love
                               In front of their
                               Delicate eyes.
 
                               Why is it wrong
                               To savor his kisses,
                               His taste of sweet honey?
                               Or run my hand up
                               His silken-smooth thigh?
                               Or want him deep inside me
                               And return the favor
                               With sweat-slick joy?
 
                               Can't we be just
                               Two people in love?
 
                        Is that so much
                               To ask?
 

 
 
 

 jeanniemarie@sprintmail.com

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