he wears a simper
at times hopelessly lost
in the garden, his campo
retreats from the maddening crowd
for artists, writers, friends, occasional poet
worries over his flowers, his trees
clearing the jungle for more jungle
he is a good neighbor
has been to me a touchstone of gayety
we have shared laughs and tragedy
my pork chops, his garden vegetables
so what is this all about
this is about a fear i harbor
that in this world there is a segment
who would wish this man harm
simply because he is gay, such as
the religious right lacking a communist
are vending old fears, intolerance, hatred
towards others they do not understand
love one another, never to judge
the credo of real christians
he to me is a gentle reminder
i also need love, acceptance
from my brothers, sisters gay
we all need love and acceptance
there is too much hatred in this world
he has an adorable smile
lips drawn back, eyes rolling up
it is disarming and genuine
but the most important to me
he is a gentleman
this world needs more


             Miramar   94