Eden

One winter, we decided to plunge, to swim or drown,

Bare-dicked and beautiful. Then we slept as if the town

Were warm, though before either of us got born, heroes

Thought to end all threats by building one final weapon.

We said what any man should when waking cold, his lover

Pressed against him close—Promise, and, I could die this way.

Let’s celebrate, O ye gentlemen of Thunder Bay.

Show me a brick. A bottle. Knuckles and feet.

Put on a pair of Nikes made for catching prey.

Don’t just scare me. Find your keys and beat

The limp out my wrists. I worked all Friday,

And this is North America, for God’s sake, treat

Me like it, like I looked at you that able way

You look at women to prove yourselves straight.