Catherine Heath
May 2020
You hold us all together,
When we would otherwise
Be blown away by the wind.
You don’t rule with an iron fist,
But sneak into the hearts
Of everyone––
Boys and girls
Alike.
Alpha males
Have a healing presence;
Healing through art,
Exercise,
Or song.
You know when something is wrong,
And you reach out
To connect––
Softly, gently,
So you don’t frighten away
Hurt souls.
No matter where you go,
You spread love and joy,
And even though you are a boy,
You hug everyone,
And sing them songs
That make them
Want to cry.
People shower you with affection,
So you think everyone is kind.
(You don’t see how humans
Stab each other in the back
When you aren’t looking).
You tell people when they’re wrong
Or bad,
Even if it makes them sad,
Because you know
It’s the right thing to do.
We always had our time,
Me and you,
Because I was the alpha female,
Caring for women,
And keeping the men in line––
I like my role just fine,
Because I love everyone,
As do you.
Fun and happy times,
Through and through,
Whenever you are around––
When trouble happens,
You are nowhere to be found,
And so we know
We are all safe
With you.
Wild painting in the lounge,
Throwing watermelons from the top floor window,
And finding fun places to go.
Sneaking substances into the house,
Cooking me nachos when I was tired,
And making time for everyone.
Playing the accordion,
Your haunting music soaring to the rafters,
As we listen,
Amazed,
To find that angels do exist.
Whenever you go away,
You are missed,
Alpha male.
Men and women love you,
So you might be nonbinary
(But definitely not gay).
We miss your fun,
And your laughter––
The way you ask ask us questions,
About our lives
(No one else does that,
You know).
You remember everything,
Keeping the past alive in the present––
Drawing comics about me,
Like I was your muse
(Well, you were my brother)
And so we muse for two.
Two people from different lands––
Other worlds,
In the same country––
But still,
We find each other.
In the library shelves of Avenue,
I saw you;
In the parties where we both
Looked down on everyone,
Being fakes––
Sometimes running away,
Is what it takes,
So we are
Always free;
Free to be you,
And me.
Alpha male,
I’ll always remember you––
But I’ll call you too,
Because this game we play
Called life
Is not over yet,
And I need you
On my side,
So we can slay
The demons
Of the night,
And make sure
All the wrongs
Are finally
Made right.
Credit: Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash
