Poetry Corner: GAY BOY FAITH

    GAY BOY FAITH

    God, grant me one more

    fourteen-year-old sleepover

    in which Ben and I share a bed

    and sleep with our bare chests pressed

    against one another, hugging

    through the night.

     

    Then, grant me a tomorrow

    in which Ben returns the same:

    a young man with round cheeks,

    strong hands, and faith

    beaming from crooked teeth.

     

    Ben, you look so small

    from the top of this staircase.

    Come sit with me. Ben, why

    won’t you come up here?

     

    God, I thought maybe

    I felt you hug me when Ben and I

    stared at each other for five minutes

    before my lips finally lunged

    forward for our first kiss.

     

    God, I thought maybe

    you smiled that first time

    I slipped my cold hand

    up Ben’s shirt and touched

    his warm back in Spanish class.

     

    Ben, this doesn’t have to

    stop. Please. Don’t make this

    stop. God loves us, right?

    God, please, don’t

    make this stop. 

     

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