"This Life", Poem to Langston Hughes copyright 1999

"This Life", Poem to Langston Hughes copyright 1999


"This Life"

To Langston Hughes



I sat on the lap of George C. Wallace

While he was wheel-chair bound

When I was a child

Posing for a picture.





I met John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1988

And he said, “hello” and “isn’t the democratic convention inspiring”

And he treated me as his equal

Carrying on pleasantries for a few minutes.

And I felt good.



I have seen the age spots hidden by make-up

on the camera-ready hands I shook

Of George Herbert Walker Bush

And Heard Vice-President Dan Quayle give a cognizant speech, believe it or not.



I have been molested by a good

Southern preacher

when I was 10, as he talked about

loving the Lord

and coming to Jesus.




I have danced on the stage of the Limelight

‘til the wee hours

with RuPaul

When he still dressed as a she-man.



I have seen friends commit suicide

And 27 die of AIDS-

And I have known rivers, too,

Langston Hughes.



date unknown. Revised 07/20/99

copyright 1999