Coming Out

My cousin tries to tell them he's gay.

She's waiting for a suicide attempt that's only

talked about and

avoiding the homosexual behavior that's been

exaggerated and exaggerated

past the point of femininity.

 

He sulks in his room and his age condemns him.

"Teenager! Teenager! He's acting like a teenager!"

Well, he is.

"He's not gay! He's not gay!"

Well, he is.

 

Fake laughter rises.

there's a party tomorrow

there are people to be brought from the airport

there is the progress of construction to view.

 

She says his suicide threats are to

detract attention from her party.

She says he's selfish and that he acts

just like her mother.

 

All you can do is stare at her

as he mixes pills with liquids and thinks

"Over the counter drugs

can't possibly hurt."

 

 

Reviews

[yinseriv]

This poem has the intimate ring of truth. It isn't a very pretty truth, but that makes the poem become a scene and not just words.