To A Particular Gay Man Poem by Maxwell Ames

you can't feel sorry and wallow in waters of misery
because you lacked a linear view of what would transpire
you stood in the center of everything so hard
that you'll be ok.

I wouldn't blame anyone for getting stabbed
by some puppy dog love sick sycophant
how would you put up those defenses in time?

muttering a few sentences out of trust
shouldn't be exposing your soft heel
to a road filled with broken glass

we see the glittering in summer's streets
walking barefoot, but we know it's silver
confetti in dust and blood.