At 16
While he sang praises to
Patti Smith, Warren Zevon,
The Psychedelic Furs
His classmates hummed
Whitney, Sheena, 'I Feel For You' Chaka –
Things gayer than he –
'Die, Faggot, Die!' as they called him –
Had yet in his life to encounter.
For he fucked men
In three way round robins
During summer stock vacations.
Knew cock-rings were helpful
When fueled on coke,
Canary Yellow,
And how to breathe when swallowing whole.
More importantly,
He knew the value of wit,
That self-restraint was a virtue
And that Punk Rock,
Though not a Mid-Western value,
Was essential –
The true definition of style.
So, Yes –
When they came for him –
Taunting and tearing-
He hid -
Under vehicles the color
Of drugs he had pounded –
Not out of fear
But of pride.
He knew
The world would truly need him
Later on
In order
For it to thrive.
Brian Kirst is a local actor, writer, director and wannabe Scream Queen. Brinke Stevens beware!
