I love the way the sky turns lavender along the Eastern edge of the world before the sun rises I love the way your long hair and pale curves Against the blue sheets I love not hiding who we are. We should get Purple Hearts for all the times The missiles of "queer" and "butch" have landed in The midst of our embrace, Launched by an unknown enemy before we were able To twine our hands and hearts on the small-town sidewalks of an August afternoon, Before I could have you over for dinner, movies, bonfires, and not feel the blue, icy glare of my neighbor Laying under the lilac bushes, Watching the day slip into purple dusk with firefly stars. I love not hiding who we are.