25.04.05 - 10:49 a.m.

two weekends of home-away-from-home and boys
i have been embarrassed or scared of but
love like crazy, a tall frenchman whose spine
shows through his skin, who spoke just enough english
to eke out come ons and when i said julien
can i practice my french on you he said
french kissing maybe, gave me his address
asked me to send him secrets in print.
we toasted his 29th year with shots of maker's
mark and later when i bought him a drink
he said with both hands full of other people's birthday
wishes i will look at you when i drink this one and
look away when i drink the others because it is polite
to drink this with you on my birthday.