who let me sit with them
on the school bus, saved a seat for me
at lunch, who knew who I was before I did
and didn’t care. Invited me to sleepovers—
pranked me like one of the guys—
all of us sleeping on the floor.
Thanks for not picking me last
for football, even though
I sucked, for passing to me,
high-five—no worries—if I missed.
Not afraid to undress
where I could see, and, yes,
I looked. Thanks for letting me stare at
what I wanted to stare at,
figuring out how I felt.
Thanks for flexing, wrapping arms
around my neck, making a place
when I needed a place.
Thanks for going shirtless.