Confession (2004)

We were drinking Scotch in the back
Yard one night (so, he said, I would
Not have to drink out on the street)
When he sighed hard and said at last,
Your mother and I are going
To separate again, for good.
A pause. Because I’m gay. We drank
Our hootch in quiet a while as
The news, like liquor, billowed on
Down. The first part was no surprise --
Our house had been stiff and dark for
Months -- But the second -- well, what
Could I say, but Be Yourself? I
Was sixteen and in love with him.
I downed his booze then fled from him.