"His Type"

  

In youth, he found a filly

One he bullied into submission

Turning her against herself

Holding her reigns tightly

Until her hooves pounded him into the ground

 

Next, he discovered a stately mare

One he adorned with silver and turquois

Turning her against herself

Grooming her for the family stable

Until her temperament demanded his temperance

 

He searched from stable to stable

One he enticed with his wealth

Turning her against herself

Forcing her to become the lost filly

Until her pride bolted her from his control

 

Now he seeks a steady mount

One he temps with everlasting security

Will he turn her against herself

Commanding her to his will

Until her soul requires nurturing he can’t give

 

February 20, 2023

 

“Not Just a Sandwich”

         The women who live across the street from us built a beautiful wooden front porch and placed matching rockers, side-by-side, on their inviting veranda. Every day, their two cats lounge in this area until they decide to cross the street and sit smack in the middle of our front yard, sending Bridget and Koi into a barking frenzy. Once they know they’ve disrupted the dogs’ day, they saunter back across the street. This intrusion into my day marks the only impact having lesbian neighbors has upon my life.

These women do not threaten my property. Their well-kept home doesn’t detract from our neighborhood. They mow the yard and trim the hedges. They keep the house neatly painted, have huge plants on their new front porch, and sweep the leaves from their driveway every fall. They live a simple life just like everyone else on our street.

         These women do not threaten my marriage. If the laws changed and allowed them to marry, so that after twenty years together they could have the same legal rights that David and I enjoy as a couple, it wouldn’t ripple into my life in any way. But their lives would change for the better.

These women do not threaten my ability to hold onto personal beliefs. They smile when they see me and wave with friendliness. They don’t ring my doorbell to hand me a pamphlet and try to convert me. They simply want to live their lives happily and openly.

         These women do not threaten my family. Having the right to publically and legally declare their love and commitment wouldn’t take anything away from my family. It may add one more drop to the tolerances that I hope our society fosters.

Copyright 2012 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman