Marriage
Location
The attachment of two souls
Waking up in the morning
Impressions in the mattress
Coffee in the hands and kids at the table
Marriage isn’t a requirement
To love
But you want it
You deserve it
Don’t you deserve it?
You’re a person
A human
A human in love
And that’s what matters
It’s a simple thing
Two words
I do
Saying
That’s my husband
That’s my wife
And smiling
And the other people
they know what it is like to love
Have the bands on their fingers
Don’t have to lie to hospitals
Get the tax benefits
The houses are left to them
Not taken by the state
Easier to adopt children
Easier
Easier
Easier
And they tell you
You’re not natural
It’s a sin
Die, faggot
God hates you
They think your union
Puts theirs in danger
You will turn your children gay
As if sexual preference could be taught
They overturn amendments and propositions
They pass laws to keep you out of public restrooms
America
The land of the free
Stand up
Fight
Brandish signs like shields
Wield your purpose like a sword
Dive into the thronging masses and
BE HEARD
BE SEEN
BE FELT
Be recognized
Because when all is said and done
It’s not just marriage
You fight for
The war has been long
Bloody
The casualties line the trenches of American history
Your life has been one long front line
Equality
Civil rights
Acceptance
And if not that
Tolerance
These are the words written on your multi-colored flag
Waving unflappable in the wind
Battered but never dropped
Not once since it’s been picked up
Valiant
Purposeful
Hopeful and strong
The trials placed before you
By ignorance
And hatred
And bigotry
Are shrinking
Bridges are being built
The already existing ones reinforced
People meet in the middle
Shake hands
Greet warmly
Unafraid to touch
Another simple human being
You are winning the battle
Though there is still far to go
The strides made
The steps taken
Were once dreams
Now become reality
And you realize
It is not just marriage
Between two people of the same sex
You fight for
You and your allies
Your family and your friends
Aim for something even greater
A partnership between two halves
Once taboo
Now more commonplace
Separate is not equal
And never has been
But slowly
Gradually
Two pieces become one
Two communities meld together
And it’s a marriage not just of love
But
Of friendship
Of kindness
Of understanding
And of humanity