'she sleeps' & 'gender jumping'

6/15/2010, timothy r gates

Asleep
sleep walking
talking
balking
she turns, and smiles,
reminding me of her sleep –
only alone if you're not sleeping too.


Gender jumping
told to not wear pastels,
certainly no pink
(still love pink, and shades of gray)
black on white
white on black
pages give way
to pages giving to pages
Real men, we were told:
'Play football, basketball and baseball
only wear jewelry where required
(mythical mobsters permitted an exemption)
don't play with dolls
don't cry
don't allow others to see them do any of the above.'
Only thought,
other than an expletive,
and with a grin:
'Real men read.'