Sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness,
Galway Kinnell 1980


              Jeremiah, twenty-two years old, great looking, great
            personality, yet he is so damn alone, trying to bust
             out of the prison which is his closet of sexuality.

             He sees fear, he sees despair, he sees facing family,
             friends and life of such blackness that he cannot
             comprehend all of the changes it will bring.

             Sometimes a person must be re-taught his loveliness.

             Jeremiah needs a hug, not by me, but by himself,
             he needs to find love, not from me, but from himself,
             he needs to find compassion, not from me, but from himself,
             he needs to re-find the very fabric of his being.

             He must be re-taught his loveliness.

             So many hopeless young men left in the sickening despair
             that is homophobic America have pulled the trigger,
             tied the knot, swallowed the pill, smashed into the tree,
             breathed the gas, or they have swum off into the, finally,
             welcoming current of resignation.

             God damnit America, can’t you see?
             You must be re-taught your loveliness.