That Boy is in Me

Across the table,

The lady says: “What a strange boy”

“What a strange child that is to not know which way to shave”

“Against the grain and front to back.”

I say “His parents never taught him that.”

She goes more on, “Still, What a strange boy”

“It is common knowledge of today, It could be worse I'm sure”

“I am just glad he is still strai-”

I say “He’s gay”

We watch him become upright like a tree

Uprooting from the ground while the storm is at full force,

But the storm is just approaching

I say, “There is something I’ll tell you about this boy, lady,

in those vacant eyes, his arms are outstretched towards the moon

He gasps in relief every time that chamber door is slammed shut

Lady, you know not who he is”

But she says once more, “Just look at him, What a strange boy”

“So watered down from the media and cellphones”

“So lost amongst his music he can’t even fight back”

I say “He had to teach himself that.”

“There is more I’ll inform you about this boy.

He’s not watered down, he's just been holding his breath,

Lady, I tell you this not to make you cry but to make you understand

He listens to block the call to the phone in his hands

In his hand is the only world he is loved

Is accepted

Is free.”

“The world he is in you say is not a world at all”

“And Lady, when you give someone a piece of your mind

don't forget to scrape off the rotting pieces or no one will want to taste it.

If you want to be considered you have to have a standing case

But there you sit and stare and ignore from across this unclean floor”

We see other boys walked over him

Beginning the storm in the way they stumble

The lady sees the wind pull snakes from the rabbit holes,

I see the rain drown the rabbits’ homes.

From across the table,

She has the courage to vomit “Just look though, What a strange boy”

“Why does he not get up and run while they slander him?”

“It’s obvious he doesn't know how to dance.”

I stand, “Lady no one's ever given him the chance.”

She stands to be face to face with me,

Blood nosed and lava breathed

She says, “I am just going to forget this

And him

And go home.”

This argument is not my own

So I say, “Don’t forget him.”

“Don't forget him because he is a strange boy

Don't forget him because you see him as watered down,

Don’t forget him because those vacant eyes

And his outstretched arms, dear Lady, listen to me.

This boy is scared.”

“He’s fucked up

And he’s strange.”

“Don’t forget him because he’s strange.”

“Don't forget him because that boy,

is in me.”