*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