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but doesn’t want it to be true.

I’m sorry about what he said to you

and I’m sorry that I lied to you.”

I accept Jack’s apology,

tell him I hope he figures out

his truth and how to tell it.

We hug and go back inside.

But that’s not what happened,

that was just a sweet fantasy.

Just Be a Man

“Can we talk privately?”

“Sure,” I say. I sashay toward

the smoking area and he follows.

It’s not so private but at least

we can hear each other here.

“So, what’s up?” I ask casually.

“What’s all this?” Jack points at me.

“My brother said you were

performing tonight but I thought

it would be poetry, like when

we first met. I didn’t know

it was going to be a gay night

and you’d be dressed like a girl.

I just don’t get this, Mike;

you’re a talented writer,

you don’t need to do all this,

it’s just so embarrassingly extra.

Why can’t you just be a man?”

And he’s shouting at me now.

“Why do you have to hide