The Goddess Loves Fags

Thank you for walking with me to my car
after an evening’s poetry reading.
Thank you for going with me to dinner and a movie
without ever making me feel threatened.
Thank you for never giving me any pressure to have sex.
Thank you for not harassing me, and thank you for not raping me.

You asked me to drive you home from the fabric store,
because your car was in the shop.
From the moment we met,
you gave me wonderful vibes, so I said yes.
In the car, we had a great conversation
about art and theater and costume,
and I felt perfectly comfortable.
I thank you for that evening.

When they tied me to a stake surrounded by a pile of wood,
they dragged you and shoved you onto the pile at my feet and lit a fire.
We did not scream, while the fire burned and charred our skin in excruciating pain.
If we had not been tied up, I would have reached out and held your hand.
Over the centuries, we have been misfits together.

The Goddess loves all her children unconditionally.
Though most people ignore her,
or sneeringly call her “Mother Nature,”
she radiates love and goodness and compassion.
The Goddess does not have hateful followers who carry picket signs.
She approves of love, pleasure, and honesty.
The Goddess loves you.