my transgendered roomate, June 1975.

Tony,

my Navy roommate

from Detroit,

comes to me in the half light

of

Jacksonville wearing

a long,

sequined gown

and the hair

of his red

wig pinned up

above his ears

and says to me

that he's going home.

Home, I ask?

"I declared

myself

homosexual

to the

master chief

this morning

and

I have

to leave

immediately

with an undesirable discharge

and a

one way ticket.

We hug.

His blush is smeared on

my tee shirt.

His pearl

clip on earrings

pictorial.

I wish his

courage well.

We never meet again.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Is this still America? What a sad, powerful poem and tribute to Tony. I wish him well- he did not deserve his country's dishonor. You paint a picture of hues and heart-felt emotions here. Justice was not served. Important statement to be heard. Brava.

[Great Aunt Astri]

I like the short lines and the impact they make. It builds up a crescendo to the last line, 'we'll never meet again.' A sad story, which has probably been the reality for many.

[h d e rushin]

a reality for so many Great Aunt Astri. There was no tribunal then....just pack your things and get out. I fear we may be going back to those times in many ways....thanks for those remarks my friend...dana

[Great Aunt Astri]

Yes, there are those who are marginalised for being different. If you don't fit the 'mould', (I would love to know who, on our poor old earth, decided on that 'mould'.) then you are considered a misfit and unworthy. What a terrible indictment on our modern society!

[Ken Simm.]

This marks all thinking people and says what are we doing? I don't have an answer. I just know this write is loving and true in every sense of the word.
She was beautiful unlike the ones who tried to look down on her. Including those who pretend to rule.

[h d e rushin]

dear Ken...I was trying here to just be honest....and sometimes honesty is what maps are for, not poems. I was trying to capture my inner Ken Simm when you are faced with the obvious (like a painting) that you the observer has to impart your own truth to make the subordinant
ideas of color and angle, important. Thank you my friend for those wonder thoughts....dana

[W.k.kortas]

This is sharp, brusque, and poignant, and on point. Hell, yes, and what Delmar said.

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! poignant ..well stated commentary ..you have said so little yet the impact is big ... you are brave in tackling this very controversial issue ... i speak from my own life's experience of Viet Nam era, x-Navy man, turned hippie/wanderer on discharge, turned very conservative on the acceptance of my Lord, Jesus ... the call to love and caring for one another does not always mean acceptance of our behaviors ... as in i love my children and teach them you will get burned if you touch the stove .. ;) prejudices that are demeaning and push people away is not an answer so i sympathize yet if a woman came into the men's room and peed standing i would be a little uncomfortable ..and if a man went into the girls room with my daughter i would not like it at all .. there are respectful solutions ... we all have to work toward them ..i came to visit your pages because i have seen and read some of your comments on others poems ..i am glad i did .. you have opened a discussion that needs attention .. considering the way that people are treated in the East ...under Muslim control .. women, gays and transgender people, you could easily expand or write a second poem dealing with that as well .. nice work ma'am! well done! love the form and i love the precise language that very quickly and smoothly brings me to a sharp point ..see you around the cafe eh!?
E.

[h d e rushin]

viet nam era, ex navy man...?...i'm talking to myself.
then you are from the era when difference was what the hippies worshiped..Woodstock was Woodstock because of it's passion not just it's music.... Shakira cannot jump higher than the hoops that Hendrix spun with the "Experience" that day....
I am glad you stopped by my friend...and if you have read any of my reviews know only that I love poetry..It's one of the few things I have come to love that also loves me back....lol...than you my friend...dana

[Einstein Noodle]

well ..there were some high ideals in the hippie head but if we were honest a whole lot of selfishness as well ..but the times were some that will never be replicated .. Woodstock was a dream for sure and the best part of that subculture showed itself that weekend .. but even Abbey Hoffman turned corporate in the end ;) sigh........

[Delmar Cooper]

And let us suppose for the sake of supposition, that Alexander discharged all of his suspect soldiers. Or, only half of his declared soldiers? Would he have conquered half a world? Half of Greece? We know so much better than Alexander, don't we?

[h d e rushin]

thank you dearest Delmar....As I said in 2015, i'm still working on my short story skills....better late than ever/never....dana

[Gee]

It would be interesting to have a rattle around in Mr Presidents head. Wonder how long the echo if yodelling.
I've read quite a few of your pieces, seldom if ever comment as "really like this" doesn't seem up to scratch

[h d e rushin]

thank you Gee..I have a million thoughts in my head (so unlike Trump I guess..lol). Some are manifested as poems, others as nose bleeds and others still as domesticated house plants...the world is ours my friend....dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

today courage is rewarded with prejudice...and from our own president...except i would rather not call him mine, thank you very much.

j.

[h d e rushin]

many courageous navy and army men served in the armed forces..But in the old days, they were made out to be cowards.....It just wasn't true. thank you my friend for understanding....dana