A Costume for the Bros
My mother bought me purple shoes,
Deep lavender at least. To hell with blue
Suede! They were what a gay black guy would choose
If he desired to signal with a clue
To other men. Inside the box she placed
Some lilac corduroy pants and socks.
But all this was the merest aftertaste
Of flimsy sleeves that flopped lavender shocks
Improving the ensemble. In fact she’d
Laid the shirt on the top, above the other
Gifts. Margaret probably almost peed
Herself, wishing she’d married my brother
Instead. But I took it out and wore it.
If you are gay, you might as well roar it.