DYKE

Bar closing time
Standing alone on the avenue
The darkness surrounds me

Wrapped in winter wear
I step off the curb
Walk halfway and stop
A car is approaching

Expecting it to pass 

with windows up keeping the heat

The voice that comes to my ears 

seems almost foreign

Not immediately recognizing the sounds as words
It comes into tune
Just one word comes to my ears. 

DYKE!!! 

Spoken with force.  It slams into my ears. 

Standing beside my car with keys in hand 
I slide the car key in the lock and turn it clockwise 
Open the door and sit down 

I hear the word dyke

Dyke’s my word 

I'm not butch or femme.
Coming out I'd labeled myself
And didn't see the need for further classification

Gays are men

And lesbians are the radical older women of the 70's and 80's

who never seemed to have time for me

In their presence I was awestruck. 

They seemed so sure of themselves 
Moving with ease in a world that I found daunting. 

Sitting in the dark
Wishing and hoping that I'd find that ease
The cold envelops me
I turn the key
The engine returns to life. 
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