The Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment: With thanks to dear leader George W. Bush.

Our city thanks you.
Our nation thanks you.
We stop in wonder
and worry
that you concern yourself
too much
with us.

That kid in Niagara Falls
who lost eyes and arms
thanks you,
or would,
but the IED took his voice box too.

The people of East Austin
for whom you have done nothing,
thank you.
The people of Roxbury
and the Bronx
and Cambodia
and Darfur
and East Timor
and New Orleans
for whom you have done nothing
thank you.

We stand stunned
and amazed
that you would deign to reach down
and,
among all the shit and blood
and lies
you have brought to our lives,
for us
the one thing you wish to do now
is criminalize
love.