Gay in Florida

My love in on the ballot, up for vote,
though laws against us long-existing stand,
"Defending marriage" as if I promote
destroying it with simple wedding bands.

No “substantial equivalents thereof”
means benefits for all will disappear
for anyone unmarried and in love;
They’ll find their rights are not protected here.

Hospital visitation could be gone,
and health care for partners both gay and straight.
And all they'll say when asked why they said yes
is that God's word can justify their hate.

Election day, the best thing you can do
Is vote for “no” on Proposition Two.


Submitted by Shaker Spiffy

About the work: "For English, I had to write a love sonnet, and I ended up writing about Amendment 2 in Florida. I thought it might amuse the people of Shakesquill, so I'm submitting it! Forgive the poor writing - it's a homework assignment, and therefore -3 quality points automatically, but hopefully still entertaining. "

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Defining Love

As I sit here I am aware of your every move. Even though I am turned away, I can feel your eyes look around the room. I turn toward the room, and immediately find you. You turn and catch my eye. You smile that amazing smile. I wish you wouldn't. Every time you do it make my heart leap, and my stomach drop. I take a deep breath to regain my senses. I open my eyes and look out the window, willing myself not to look at you. I hear your voice above the noise, and melt inside. I close my eyes and sink into my chair.

Your hands are on my waist, and my arms wrap around your neck. Your arms pull me into you, and our bodies' form into one another. I press my cheek against your warm chest, and close my eyes. One of your hands slides up my back, and to my face. You tilt my chin up, and lean in. I lean into you, and stand on my toes. Our mouths meet. A soft, slow kiss, that lives forever.


"Sarah? Are you feeling alright?"

My eyes fly open, and there he is; perfect in his own way. He looks at me with a soft expression, and opens his mouth again, but then stops.

"Yeah, I'm OK Mr. Baur," I reply softly.

"Are you sure?" he asked with a worried tone in his voice.

"I'm just a little tired," I lied with a smile.

He smiled back, and I melted again. He turned and walked away. I sighed inwardly. I heard the bell ring, and I gathered my stuff up. The class had emptied in a very short time, and I was almost out the door, when his perfect voice chimed in my head. I flushed at the sound.

"Sarah, I wish that you would take better care of yourself, you always seem tired in my class," he said as he walked over to me.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Baur. It won't happen again. It's just been a busy week," I replied quickly, realizing my excuse was getting over used.

"There's nothing to apologize for," he said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

I practically fell over.

"OK. I guess I'll see you at the football game later then," I said stumbling over words.

He nodded and smiled that perfect smile. I turned, and walked out the door. I could still feel the warmth of where his hand had been placed. I hated this feeling, but loved it at the same time. I loved him, but could never have him. That is life, and it was love.

--

I walk around the room, waiting for someone to ask me a question, as students usually do. I look around the room briefly and see her looking at me. I decide to meet her eyes. Her eyes lock with mine and I smile surprising myself. She quickly looks away, and looks flustered. I turn away, and divert my attention from her to the student in front of me. I look at the project on his desk. It could be better, but is still satisfactory. I give him my opinion on it, and look back over at her. Her eyes are looking out the window, and she is breathing slowly.

I am sitting across from her. She is so beautiful and looks like an angel. I reach for her hand. She mirrors my action, and our fingers intertwine. My breath gets shaky.

"You're not like other girls," I say slowly.

She smiles and hides her face behind her hair. I use my free hand to tilt her face back up, brushing back her black silk hair. She meets my eyes and smiles.

"What makes you so different?" I ask her.

"I have you," she replied with no hesitation.

I leaned toward her; aware of her hand that was resting gently on my leg, and the other that was slowly wrapping around my neck. I pulled her toward me. Her eyes closed, and her mouth met mine. It was an amazing moment, one that would last forever.

I soon come back to reality, and look over at her again. She had her eyes closed and she had sunk down in her chair. A brief worry crossed through my mind, but then a smile flickered over face. She looked so content, I didn't want to disturb her but something compelled me to walk toward her. I stopped about a foot in front of her, and I stood there looking at her.

"Sarah? Are you feeling alright?" I asked, curiously.

She sat up quickly and looked stunned at my appearance. I open my mouth, about to tell her something I shouldn't, but catch myself at the last moment.

"Yeah, I'm OK Mr. Baur," she said in the softest and prettiest voice.

As I listened to her speak I heard some sort of exasperation in her voice.

"Are you sure?" I ask her slightly worried now.

"I'm just a little tired," she said smiling.

There was something in her voice that I didn't believe, but I couldn't help but smile back. I turned away and walked back toward the front of the room, realizing that the class was almost over. The bell rang and the students quickly filled out of the room. Sarah was still there, stumbling with her stuff. She started to exit the room.

"Sarah, I wish that you would take better care of yourself, you always seem tired in my class," I said to her, as I walked over to here.

Her face was flushed as she turned around toward me. I smiled, because she seemed to have been caught in her bluff.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Baur. It won't happen again. It's just been a busy week," she stammered.

"There's nothing to apologize for," I said encouragingly.

As if at an impulse I put my hand softly on her shoulder. She took in a big breath and I smiled at her again.

"OK. I guess I'll see you at the football game later then," she stammered again.

I nodded, smiled, and watched her turn away. Her hair swung ever so slightly, and her walk was perfect. I watched the person that I loved but never could have walk away. It was forbidden for me to feel this way but I still felt it. That was life, and it was love.

Submitted by Sarah Bridges

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On Broken Wings

On broken wings did the bird learn to fly
Pity it not but watch
that fluttering leap in to the unknown
that first swing up in the sky,
that crash upon the cactus on the rock
that surge of strength to rest
and mend its broken heart
and then that desire to rise and take on the sky yet once again.

Submitted by Sangeeta Kapur

About the Author: "I interact with children, teaching them human values, my drop in the ocean to make the world a better place to be in. Poetry comes naturally to me."

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