My First Prayer
I pray every one of their children is gay.
Lord, make it so.
I pray one of their sons
murders them in cold blood,
while the rest of their kids cover it up.
Maybe I’ve spent too long
not focusing on the problem.
Lord, make me ungay.
I want to be taken seriously,
get off this disability.
publish poetry in Braille,
and give all my earnings to charity.
If I promise to pray for your sake,
If I dress more “straight”,
If I stop being gay,
will anything change?
Lord, let me read from your book.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”*1
Well, I’m judging them as they shout faggot
and drive past me in their truck.
“Judge not according to the appearance,
but judge righteous judgment.”*2
I’m judging everyone
who tries to convert the nail polish off me
while I’m just eating at Wendys.
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged:
condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:
forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”*3
I like the overall message
but, the rest of your book on ethics
contains slavery, murder and incest.
Lord, I’m not sure I’ll be back again.
But, this is my first prayer
amen.
