Christopilists was a fun word to construct for this poem. And you’re definitely right that they need to be challenged. Thanks for all of your thoughts and comments.
I doubt very much that such an unfortunate cliff-hanging individual would fuss about the gender identity of any potential rescuer. Thanks for framing things that way.
Diversity Studies
We all know
labels can mislead us,
for what’s in a bottle may not bear
much resemblance to the details on the sticker,
yet we often let their messages
lead us to miss treasures
before us.
So it was
at the corner wine shop
where I had met friends of many kinds,
but none like them stocking shelves with new vintages,
intriguing in their androgyny
and willing to meet up
after work;
That first kiss,
You’re very kind in your comments, and I appreciate your encouragement. I can’t help but agree that it’s more important than ever to focus on positives rather than negatives. Thanks again.
Your smile at we might not mope but elope is everything I hoped for. I’m especially glad April 12 sounded a chord with you. My heart feels stronger to know I’m not alone in my feelings.
Thank you. I really appreciate your taking time to read and wrestle with these. I’m glad you can see rays of hope through the cloudy skies in this set.
April 8
Alien Land
This morning
I overslept my alarm
to wake in an unfamiliar world
where domineering power was preferred to free thought,
and millions of identical drones
painted whitewash over
everything.
April 9
Short Story
Once the sky
winked its blue eye
and thereby
stopped the smart
that stings my heart
when we part;
shadows skewed
my attitude
I read this from beginning to end and then again. I remember finding Nifty, and then Awesome Dude for the first time, and in that order. And then I found GA, as it harbored a story and an author I wanted to follow further. It was a very long time before I took the leap to become a member. I'm glad you continue to write, and to share what you write here.
You’re very kind, and I’m grateful for all your comments along the way. I’m also grateful to @weinerdog for pointing you to this story. I’ll add that there are a couple of snapshot sequel stories, each with the word “Observation” in the title. Again, thanks for sticking with Andy through all his travails and tribulations.
Andy and Zander still inhabit my heart and mind. Sometimes it’s the sense of wonder Andy has, or Zander’s yearning that suddenly hit me. I hope they take residence in your heart too.
The weight of his so-called father is off Andy’s back. He can feel more free than he has in ages. Better still, he and Zander are together, officially, and no Mrs. Chandler can undo that. I’m glad you’ve made it through to see this moment in Andy’s journey.
What’s most in Andy’s way might be that very expectation that something might go awry - or that he’ll stop believing in himself. Thanks very much for your thoughts.
This chapter cleared up a lot for Andy. He may yet have to return to Carlsberg, but there may be less pressure. I’m grateful you’ve continued to read Andy’s journal.